Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Motorcycle Ride for Dad is an event that raises funds and awareness to combat prostate cancer. The ride is in its 10th year nationally and this is the first year that it will be happening in the Northwest Territories. To date, the national ride is involved with over 100,000 people and raised over $5 million. The NWT Ride for Dad is proud to be adding to these impressive figures.
Prostate cancer is a deadly disease that most men try not to think about. In fact, most patients don’t even know they have it. Nationally, there are an estimated one million cases, 80 percent of which are undiagnosed. If caught early, this disease is curable and the ride is trying to make sure that men are talking to their doctors and, if necessary, getting tested.
The NWT Motorcycle Ride for Dad is also trying to make this a truly territorial event by encouraging riders from all over the Territory to take part. People who want to take part in the ride do not have to be a rider. They can get pledges to be a passenger if they know someone who has a motorcycle or they can raise pledges as a spectator. The ride is also always looking for donations, sponsors and volunteers.
Mr. Speaker, the ride will take place on Sunday, June 6, and will include a parade through Yellowknife, a poker run and a barbeque afterwards. Money raised from this event will go towards education awareness campaigns right here in the Northwest Territories. These funds will help to provide information about this disease and inform men about the risks of contracting prostate cancer, and encourages them to see their doctors and become better informed. So far there has been a huge amount of interest from sponsors and the general public and this is shaping up to be an excellent first year for what many hope will be an annual event in the Northwest Territories.
People interested in volunteering or making a donation can contact
and people who want more information can visit the website at
www.motorcycleridefordad.org\nwt
. Please support this worthwhile cause. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.