Karin Piche, founder and captain of the Wheelin’ Warriors of the North, has received an award for being the "heart and soul of the Tour de Cure." The BC Cancer Foundation fundraiser saw cyclists travel 200 kilometres during a two-day ride on Aug. 24 and 25 from Cloverdale to Hope.
The Big Red Award is inspired by longtime rider Dave "Big Red" Cannell’s contributions throughout his 14 years of participation. He received the award last year. This award recognizes an exceptional individual who goes above and beyond in bringing people together and represents the spirit of what it means to be a member of the Tour de Cure community, the Tour de Cure website description of the award explains.
The award, which was presented after day one of the ride from the Cloverdale Showgrounds to Chilliwack Heritage Park, saw Cannell talk about Piche in the lead up to presenting the prestigious award.
“This year’s recipient was a clear favourite. Nominations came from not just their team, but from other teams as well. This person is the living embodiment of a Ride Mama for so many people. It was decided a long time ago that this person’s super power is that no one can say no to them,” Cannell said by way of introduction.
He continued by acknowledging the Wheelin' Warriors of the North had raised almost $2 million during the last 12 years and because those funds were raised in the north they stay in the north, funding research for advancements in treatment and helping people stay close to home during their wellness journey.
“This person is changing stories,” Cannell continued. “They are making lives better and providing good news when there often isn’t any.”
Piche said she was completely shocked when she realized Cannell was speaking about her during his speech to introduce her as the Big Red Award winner.
“I had no idea I was getting the award and my first clue was when Dave got to the point of his speech when he mentioned the North,” Piche said.
“I like it better when I have a little bit of a heads up and I can prepare. I felt so awkward when I was on stage. I was obviously honoured but I was very nervous with all 2,000 people staring at me.”
The whole experience is still surreal for Piche, she added. It was a whirlwind doing the ride and getting home just in time to go back to work without having a moment to reflect.
“It was really neat to hear those 12 years of doing the Tour de Cure ride condensed into Dave’s speech. I was listening and thinking ‘yeah, yeah, that’s right!’” Piche said.
“It was so nice to be acknowledged for the work and a little overwhelming.”
Piche started the Wheelin’ Warriors of the North in 2012 when she lost a good friend to skin cancer.
“I am proud to say that in all 12 editions, Wheelin’ Warriors of the North have consistently been one of the top fundraising teams,” Piche said in a recent Facebook post.
“While we have a great deal of fun doing the ride, we can’t lose sight of the cause we are supporting. We have all been touched by cancer. We all know a friend, a family member, a loved one that has suffered from this terrible disease. The good news is that we are winning. With the funds we have raised over the last 12 years, we have funded groundbreaking research that is making a difference in patient outcomes. BC is a world leader in cancer research and we are making progress. However, there is still much to do and our fundraising puts money in the hands of scientists who are making a difference. We really are CONQUERING cancer!”
In honour of Piche’s 12th ride, she set a higher personal fundraising goal than the usual $2,500 and bumped it up to $5,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation. Piche has exceeded her goal but of course more donations are always welcome.
“Ride with pride for those who can’t,” Piche said is the Wheelin' Warriors of the North new slogan, attributing the poignant words to Wheelin’ Warrior Terri McConnachie’s friend Ron when he was encouraging McConnachie to do the 200km ride. It was the last thing he said to McConnachie before he lost his battle with cancer recently.
The team has raised more than $144,000 and donors can still contribute until the end of Sept. 30 at tourdecure.ca/team/1207/87/.
