Tom Gibson

Peggy’s Cove - Day 15

Where do we go…where do we go now?

Well we have all made it and I am sitting back in Guelph and reflecting on what has happened over the past 3 weeks or so.  Started in Surrey a bit wide eyed and wondering what was waiting for us out on the road.  Orientation meetings, safety talk, route discussion,  Inside Rides, community events, team bonding, bike tuning.  A bunch of riding,  a bit of sleep deprivation,  a lot of pizza, tons of laughs, some tears, lots of very wonderful people with us and along the way an amazing last day of riding (thanks Dan Watt for the route), a wheel dip in the Atlantic and a lovely final evening as a Team.  It will take a long while for it all to sink in.  I arrived back in Guelph on Sunday and climbed on my bike and went for a ride.  What else am I going to do? So many things to process.  The bike is a place where I can think and it will take many rides to reflect on what has happened and what we will do next.  A couple of things are for sure. People across this country are very nice.  People who welcomed us, listened to us, honked at us (in a friendly way), fed us, warmed us up, cheered for us, rode with us, put their arms around us, donated money, encouraged us, shared their stories with us.  Canadians are nice people.  Then other thing is that is glaringly obvious that so much more needs to be done for kids and families that are dealing with pediatric cancer.  More research, more transition support, more family support, more camps for kids.  Kids cancer is chronically underfunded.  Full stop.  We need to do more.  Guess I will ride, reflect,  get together with teammates that I suspect will become lifelong friends then start to work on the third annual Guelph Inside Ride and try to make it bigger and better so we can break another record!  Could not have done it without the support of so many people many who are reading this.  Shauna has been unbelievably supportive and maybe I can get back to making pancakes on the weekends and shortening the long rides to 4 or 5 hours!  Team 2 was a wonderful place to be.  Thanks to Coast to Coast for doing what they do.  Stay tuned.  This is far from over!  Stay well.  Tom

Ride for Justin

For two years running the Guelph Inside Ride was dedicated to Justin Grant.  Much like my posting for Keaton Miller I also wanted to include a posting for Justin while we were riding.  Unfortunately,  my laptop was not cooperating with our internet stick in the RV as we were rolling.  Well,  here is Justin’s story.  The first section is the dedication I read  back in March at the Atrium.  The second section is an update just before we left.  Needless to say,  this is why this ride and Coast to Coast Against Cancer in so important.  

“For the second year running, which is a very encouraging thing,  the Guelph Inside Ride is being dedicated to 5 year old Justin Grant,  who for the last year and a half has been battling a very malignant tumor of the soft cells.  Prior to being diagnosed Justin lost his father to a sudden and unexpected brain aneurysm and since then has been raised by his mother Tracy.  Tracy’s cousin Heather is riding with us today for the second year. 

For Justin his cancer started in the ear and then spread into the base of his skull and jawline and because of its location and size was immediately deemed inoperable.  Like many children treatment required both Justin and Tracy to spend most of their time at Sick Kids while Justin completed 6 ½ weeks of radiation and a 49-week chemotherapy program.  During this time Justin was unable to speak and eat requiring that Tracy quit her job of 7 years.

Today, I am happy to report that Justin is finished his treatment and is feeling great!  Just last week Justin went for his first follow up MRI and his cancer is considered to be in “remission.”  He is able to speak and eat again and in late November started kindergarten.  He and Tracy were also able to take a trip to Atlantis in the Bahamas through the generosity of the Kids Wish Foundation.  Things have really turned around for Justin and his  family, but it is important to remember that many other children are just beginning their battle.  Even for those that think it’s over, the fear is always present.  To quote Justin’s mother Tracy:

    “We hope and pray that our children defy the odds, that they walk the walk, fight the big fight, and then go home.  For those  that do, it means waiting 5 years to be considered cancer free… 5  years until we can breathe again… 5 years until we can say we beat  this terrible thing.  For the past year I have been living this horrific nightmare I have met very few families that go home and never come back.  People who have fought beside their children for life and are always waiting for something to come crashing down.  Parents like this never know if they are going to be one of the lucky ones, one of the survivors. Pediatric cancer is so easily overlooked.  I know before Justin was diagnosed I thought it was  rare, but now I know so many families that are affected by this  terrible disease.  We need more people to realize our world.   Imagine a day in our shoes and maybe then with donations and generosity we will be able to help families that fight everyday…  to help kids come home for good.”

Update from Justin’s Aunt Heather on September 9th.  The day the big ride started.

Here is an update on Justin and a message to you straight from Tracy:

“Justin is doing wonderful!  He is still in remission with his 1 year  

scans coming up this week.  He had his port removed in August and is  

loving being a “normal” boy!  He continues to get stronger and bigger  

and taller and healthier every day and it is all thanks to everyone’s  

support and wonderful organizations, charities and people like you and  

all at Coast to Coast!   We hope Tom Gibson has a safe and wonderful  

ride and we thank him for such an amazing thing he is doing!!”

I would also like to add that Justin started school (grade 1) this week!

Stay well.  See many of you at the 2011 Guelph Inside Ride which we hope to expand to break last years record breaking fundraising total.  T

Josh’s last day. Ride today started in Kingston and ended with an community event in Ottawa. The ride itself in the Rideau Lakes area was lovely and picturesque with some rollers and perfect weather. Lunch in Smith Falls was a great spread from a very welcoming staff at the Sears store. The tough part of the day was saying goodbye to Josh, Drew, Rina and Drew. Their presence was such a welcome addition to the team. Josh inspired all of us as riders but more importantly as people. His sense of humour and easy going nature meshed well with the existing antics of the team. Rina and Drew made us all feel like a part of their family. Finally, Mr. Molnar, the big engine of the tandem provided additional leadership and a sense of all knowing calm. Really would have been fantastic to have them along all the way to Halifax. An unforgettable 5 days in Ontario due to these wonderful people. We are currently on the way to Trois Rivière to start day 12. Hope everyone is well. T