By Matthew Liebenberg
Motorcyclists supported the fight against prostate cancer at the 2023 Swift Current Motorcycle Ride for Dad, June 10.
This was the 10th anniversary of the event in Swift Current and there was a good turnout. Ride Co-chair Curt Purves said they were pleased with the outcome.
“I think everybody had a pretty good day and it was beautiful weather,” he noted. “So we couldn’t complain. It was a good day.”
It was attended by 134 registered riders and raised $43,338.02. The day-long event started at the Living Sky Casino with a breakfast and a parade through city streets. Riders then participated in a poker run through southwest Saskatchewan.
They all met in Eastend for lunch and then had the option to follow different routes back to Swift Current. One route took them past Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park to Maple Creek and back to Swift Current. The other route went through Shaunavon, Climax and Val Marie to Swift Current.
The day concluded with awards and presentations at the Living Sky Casino. Dr. Anand Krishnan from the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine made a presentation and Swift Current Ride for Dad presented him with a cheque of $50,000 for prostate cancer research.
Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian men and early detection increases the survivability rate.
“It’s just a simple blood test to find out if your levels have gone up,” Purves noted. “And then if you catch it early enough, it’s treatable.”
The Swift Current Ride for Dad event has been well supported since its inception a decade ago. It has raised over $623,000 during the previous nine year. This excludes the amount raised in 2023.
“Over the years it’s gotten more popular and people are wanting to come on board for next year already as sponsors,” he said. “So it’s really taken off. I think it’s just going to get better and better all the time.”
