Windsor-Essex motorcyclists rev engines to help fight prostate cancer

“When I started this ride, there was no prostate cancer that I was aware of in my family,” said Shane Miles, co-chair for Windsor Motorcycle Ride for Dad.

“My dad is now living with inoperable prostate cancer and that is because he did not get checked. Don’t do what he did.

The 18th annual fundraiser attracted more than 100 riders who travelled together through parts of Windsor and Essex County after rolling out from their starting point at Thunder Road Harley-Davidson on Huron Church Road in Windsor.

The event has raised more than $1.1 million so far for prostate cancer research and awareness. This year, $30,000 is being donated to the University of Windsor research team of biomedical sciences professor Lisa Porter. The funds will help Porter’s lab investigate the prevention and treatment of an aggressive form of metastatic prostate cancer called neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC).

“NEPC is resistant to all current therapies, but our lab has found a class of proteins that are elevated in NEPC, and we have exciting evidence to support that these proteins have the potential to drive progression to this drug-resistant form of disease,” Porter said.

“Over the next year, we are going to ask ourselves if we can target this and prevent prostate patients from becoming resistant to the drugs we have now.

“The goal is that we get the answer — and it’s a yes.”

Belle River’s Chuck Donais and Patty Sinasac have participated in the annual event for over five years. 

“It’s an important event to raise awareness,” Sinasac said. “We want to keep you guys around. The amount of support is wonderful.”

Well over 100 riders went from Thunder Road to Amherstburg for their first stop at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 157. From there, they travelled to Wolfhead Distillery, before a final stop at Thompson Manor Steak & Seafood in Kingsville. 

Courtesy: https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/windsor-essex-motorcyclists-rev-engines-to-help-fight-prostate-cancer