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With the rallying cry of ‘Let’s Ride!’, the roar of 400 motorcycles launched the 20th annual Windsor Motorcycle Ride for Dad on Sunday morning, starting from Thunder Road Harley Davidson.
The riders thundered out of Windsor on a cross-country trip, first heading to Amherstburg, then through Colchester, ultimately concluding their ride in Belle River.
This yearly motorcycle parade has raised $1.2 million locally for prostate cancer research, while the Rides for Dad initiatives nationwide have accumulated $43 million in the last 25 years.
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According to organizers, the primary aim of this annual event is to raise awareness among men and their families about the importance of early testing and detection as the best way to fight this disease.
Statistics indicate that one in eight men will develop prostate cancer while one in 29 will die from it, leading ride organizers to stress the necessity of regular testing.
“My message is always — PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing, early testing, saves your life,” said Garry Loeper, steering committee chairman of Prostate Cancer Support Windsor/Essex, after the ride commenced.
“Men also often worry about potential side effects (like erectile dysfunction). The longer you wait, the worse the odds become,” Loeper added.
“Men often don’t think about survivability until they receive a prostate cancer diagnosis, at which point they become concerned. However, they primarily worry about the side effects. We’re here to help.”
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