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SNKCR LOVE!! 💛❤️💛

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SNKCR Day 13: la Belle Province, Quebec.

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SNKCR Day 13: la Belle Province, Quebec.

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SNKCR DAY 12: Pickering to Belleville Today was a special day for me. We were visited by my friend André, his wife Wendy and their beautiful twin girls Alicia and Taylor. I've been an extended part of André's family since I was 13 years old. Taylor has been diagnosed with Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She is a bright, funny and talkative young girl. One whose future should be bright and full of laughter, love and opportunity. THIS is why the SNKCR squad is riding across Canada, to raise awareness for childhood cancer and fundraise for research and Cancer programs across Canada, so no child has to suffer. Taylor and Alicia were gifted a signed National Rider jersey by the team to share and remind them of what we're doing to help. Please consider a donation to the cause: https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/mobile/mobilePersonalPage.aspx?registrationID=3009002&langPref=en-CA&Referrer=direct%2fnone&moreText=true

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SNKCR Day 11: Family Day! Barrie to Pickering. What a whirlwind of a day! Many of the riders and volunteers had the chance to catch up with friends and family on this leg of the trip. So many hugs and kisses and smiling faces. We met an amazing family at Sick Kids, and heard their story of a young boy in foster care who was diagnosed and then adopted while by his foster dad's while going through treatment. It was touching and again reinforced what we're doing on this trip for awareness of research still needed to conquer Cancer. I loved seeing some of my Parkdale Roadrunners family out to support the cause, and my THI (The Health Institute) family came out to provide some free treatment to the riders. It was a great day overall and we're energized for the last leg of the journey heading eastbound to La Belle Province and the Maritimes!

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SNKCR // treating on the road, you massage and stretch and tape riders wherever there is space. Sears stores, RV's and rest stops.

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SNKCR Day 10: Sault Ste Marie to Barrie Rain kept the ride short on day 10, but visits to White River and Blind River made up for it. The lakeside views were calm and serene and made a great spot for some reflection of my trip thus far. We were reminded that sometimes the day starts like a lemon, with bad weather, but you find a way to make lemonade, and always be reminded of why we're on this journey. It's for the kids. Drink deep the quietness. One of our RV mates are leaving us, Doug, one of my two SNKCR dad's is heading home. He's been a huge laugh, great driver and road trip DJ. He will be missed. I'm glad we got a group photo, this bunch will be hard to replicate. We truly are a little family unit. 💛

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More from Terry Fox day. Since we couldn’t ride.. we had to keep ourselves entertained. 

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SNKCR Day 9: Marathon to Wawa Gorgeous day on the road in northern Ontario today! Nature abounds and spirits were high. Great way to welcome the weekend.

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SNKCR Day 8: Atikokan, Sabaqua, Thunder Bay, Marathon, Ontario Heyyyy Ontario! Today's ride took us through Northwestern Ontario. We has torrential rain that kept the riders off the road for majority of the day. While they were bummed to have to sit out, I was happy they got a rest day for their bodies. We started out in Atikokan, at the Native Friendship Centre, where they provided an amazing breakfast for us. The good food continued in Sabaqua, where volunteers provided us one of the best snack stops yet. Home made sticky bun, fruit platter, and delicious butterscotch/marshmallow treats! We then shuttled into Thunder Bay, where the skies cleared up and the riders were able to cycle to the Terry Fox Memorial. Talk about emotional. As we approach the 35th anniversary of his Marathon of Hope, we remembered what Terry stood for, his determination to find a cure for Cancer, and why we ride/volunteer for SNKCR. "Dreams are made possible if people only try. I believe in miracles. I have to... Because somewhere the hurting must stop." {Terry Fox} July 28, 1958 - June 28, 1981

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SNKCR Day 7: Winnipeg to Falcon Lake, Manitoba It’s been a week since the SNKCR squad has been on the road. Our last stop in Manitoba was at Falcon Lake Golf Resort and Campgrounds. What a beautiful place. Another reminder of how gorgeous Canada is. We arrived early - due to construction on the road and shuttling the riders, so I got the chance to have a 3km beach run and the riders got to dip in the lake before dinner. Legs continue to be taped and flushed every night, and I'm experimenting based on need with my taping. So far, so good! My massage sessions are the times I get to know the riders best. Hear about their families, why they are doing the ride, and stay inspired about our purpose. Hearts of gold, legs of steel. We head into Ontario next, and I couldn't be more excited!! Hoping to see some familiar faces at our stops coming up. As always, please consider a donation to the cause. We ARE making a difference. https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/mobile/mobilePersonalPage.aspx?registrationID=3009002&langPref=en-CA&Referrer=direct%2fnone&moreText=true

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SNKCR Day 6: Manitoba. Day 6 was an emotional one. The riders faced quite a few obstacles riding through Manitoba. Tough headwinds, rough road conditions and a few falls and minor injuries. I find I'm doing a lot more sport first aid and athletic taping to support the riders during the day. When we rode into Winnipeg, we paid a visit to Cancer Care Manitoba and met three brave kids who are currently battling cancer. We ARE making a difference. Their stories reassured us of that. I loved that in their play room they had a mini hospital where the kids could don scrubs and lab coats, and play doctor to their puppet patients so that their own treatments didn't seem so scary. Sears Winnipeg were amazing hosts and gave us a fantastic dinner and breakfast send off. The staff we've been meeting in each province have been so great! I was able to get my table out at our rest stop and give some quality recovery massage to the riders. I massaged by moonlight and street lights in the Sears parking lot. The team is so resilient, its really incredible how we've all become a family in 6 short days.

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SNKCR Day 5: Medicine Hat to Regina We rolled through Saskatchewan on day 5 and the prairie flats were just as stunning as the Rockies were. It continues to amaze me how diverse and vast Canada is. The riders had it tough today. Although flatter in terrain, the winds were high and the road conditions a bit rough. It's always a gut check moment for them though, as they continue to remind themselves that however rough the road gets, it's nothing like what kids with Cancer face. So they carry on, and endure it. The riders bodies are starting to take more of a beating, I'm doing much more during rest stops to spot treat and stretch, then spend our evening shuttles rotating between RV's to provide as much recovery as possible. Everyone is short on sleep, but long on passion and purpose for what we're collectively trying to accomplish.

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SNKCR Day 4: coasting through Alberta. Today we passed through Edmonton, Maskwacis and Red Deer. In Maskwacis we were met by members of the Samson Cree Nation who came to bless the riders for a safe journey with traditional sweetgrass smudging. The landscape changed dramatically as we went from the gorgeous mountain ranges to some epic stretches of farm land. A constant reminder to how diverse and beautiful this country is. The staff at the Sears in Red Deer was much like all the rest we've met; wonderful and welcoming! We had dinner provided by the store that set us up for our nightly shuttle to Medicine Hat. The riders get a few days of "reprieve" as we hit some flatter terrain before entering Ontario in a few days. As always, please consider a donation to the cause. Hit the link and give what you can! https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/mobile/mobilePersonalPage.aspx?registrationID=3009002&langPref=en-CA&Referrer=direct%2fnone&moreText=true

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SNKCR Day 3: These riders took on the most challenging part of their trip today. The elevation and climbs through the Rocky Mountains were no joke. // Their legs on day 3 are shredded. They cycled over 160 km of hills today. 6400 feet of elevation. // Why put themselves through it? This shot. Ulana and Hannah, Ulana lost her daughter to Cancer. Hannah is a childhood Cancer survivor. // Less than 3% of cancer research dollars goes toward childhood Cancers. NO child should be robbed of their childhood to laugh, play and be happy. // THIS is why the ride exists and why the riders and volunteers work tirelessly to fundraise. // Please click the links in this blog to donate. ✌️💛🍁

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Rocky Mountain High

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SNKCR Day 2: Kamloops, Sorrento, Salmon Arm, Sicamous. The end of our beautiful trek through British Columbia. Day 2 was nothing short of post card picturesque. I was able to have a quick run among the mountains this evening and it was fabulous! The riders met with various challenges along the way, flat tires, chain breaks and other mechanical issues. We also had a few riders experience some muscle fatigue during some tough climbs through the mountains. Massaging on the road has been a fun, fast and furious at times. Rest stops where quick tissue release is needed for stiff neck and traps. Then during the shuttling either between areas too dangerous to ride, or when riders need a break, I treat them in the RV. A combo of flushing tight quads, sport taping, icing and stretch, I'm doing whatever is necessary to provide recovery for the long journey ahead. We're heading into Alberta, with Lake Louise as our first stop. I can't wait to breath it all in, and hear some more incredible stories along the way. The riders I'm getting to know are so incredible and strong, each with their own story of how childhood cancer has affected them. I can only hope for such grace and resiliency in my own life.