Teachers in training to fight cancer

On evenings and weekends, while most of their students and colleagues are relaxing, four Selwyn House teachers are training hard. This spring and summer, they will run or bike their way toward the goal of finding a cure for cancer.

Three teachers are training to participate in the Ride to Conquer Cancer in July, while a fourth is participating in the Team in Training program in preparation for running a half-marathon in Ottawa in May.

Mark Watson, head of the Senior Social Science department at Selwyn House, has a very close personal reason for joining the Ride to Conquer Cancer. 

“I lost my sister Dawn to cancer last spring,” Mark says. “She was the baby of the family and died two months shy of her 37th birthday. It is in memory of her—her strength, her tenacity, her courage and her grace in the face of all she went through—that I will confront my own challenge: cycling from Montréal to Québec City. While this pales in comparison to what she endured, I can try to do my part to conquer cancer.”

Elementary School science teacher Chantal Simard is also making the trip in memory of a close family member. His father-in-law died from cancer a year and a half ago.

“I lost my bike buddy,” Chantal explains. “He introduced me to long-distance bike trips.” The two rode to Bromont, Laurentides, Granby, and many times took part in Montreal’s Tour de l’Ile.

“When you get older you look for ways to make life meaningful,” Chantal says. “This is his legacy, for now.”

When Elementary and Senior computer teacher Bill Bedard heard that two of his colleagues were joining the Ride to Conquer Cancer, he felt inspired to join in.

“I met Mark’s sister when she was going through her battle with cancer and felt helpless,” Bill explains. “When Mark announced he was going to do this, I thought it was a great idea. I like the challenge of something doable but not easy.”

The SHS bike team chose the name Cyclopaths, and began training for the big weekend. To take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, each team must raise $10,000 for the cause.

Brenda Rilling, head of the Computer Science Department, is participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. She is preparing for the Ottawa half-marathon on May 24. Brenda ran this race in 2007, and has done some 10-kilometre races in the past, but says that this time she thought she’d help out a good cause at the same time.

Since 1949, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has invested more than $600M in blood cancer research and patient services. The 20-year-old Team in Training program trains athletes to enter marathons and triathlons, as well as cycling and hiking events, to raise money for the cause.

On April 22, Selwyn House students will hold a Free Dress Day to raise money to support their teachers. In addition, Grade 6 parent Dr. Marie-Claude Constance, mother of Jonathan Anthony Mirarchi, has agreed to match funds raised through the Free Dress Day.

More information on these events can be found on the Internet under Team in Training and the Ride to Conquer Cancer. You can find the Selwyn Cyclopaths page at http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=1291&team_id=16960

Anyone who would like to help with the cause should contact one of the participating teachers.