WATCH: A handful on Moncton doctors set out Monday to cycle 500 kilometers over five days to help patients fighting cancer. Global’s Shelley Steeves reports.
MONCTON – A handful of Moncton doctors set out to cycle 500 kilometers Monday to help patients fighting cancer.
The N.B. Doctors Cycling Against Cancer Ride is a five-day cycling event in support of the oncology clinic at the Moncton Hospital.
It took a year, but Moncton oncologist Dr. Mohammed Harb says he finally found a crew of doctors crazy enough to follow his lead. He says he rode in a similar fundraiser while practicing in the United Kingdom.
“I really found an amazing crazy group to do it with me,” he said. “It’s going to be a grueling ride, but knowing that we’ll be improving cancer care for patients in our region makes it all worth it.”
Experienced cyclist Dr. Paul Goobie lead the pack.
“He (Dr. Harb) is crazy but I am crazy too so we decided it would be a great idea to put this together and cycle against cancer and raise some money for the oncology centre and for our patients,” Goobie said.
The money raised will be used to buy medical and telecommunications equipment used in at least 53 clinical trials taking place at the Moncton Hospital’s Oncology Centre.
The alternative cancer treatments benefit patients like Patricia Samuelsen, who is now winning her battle with breast cancer.
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“I think I am freer, more relaxed, not so worried about things just take each day and enjoy them,” she said.
“The technology we hope to purchase from this ride will improve access to care and ensure quicker and more accurate results for patients enrolled in the program,” said Harb.
But he says it won’t be an easy trip for the team.
“We are going to head to Sussex, from Sussex to Fredericton to Miramichi and then back,” he said.
They’ll travel about 100 kilometers each day, rain or shine.
“Cancer patients have storm days and cyclists have stormy days too and that’s okay we just keep on going,” said Goobie.
The goal is to raise $25,000. The doctors say they’ll fight for every penny and every peddle to help their patients.
Donations can be made at the oncology centre or through Friends of the Moncton Hospital.
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