They may have been going in circles, but in a single hour Saturday, participants in Young Adult Cancer Canada’s (YACC) fundraising event, Roller Brave, rolled a full 129 kilometres together on the track behind St. Paul’s Junior High School.
Geoff Eaton is the executive director and founder of YACC, a registered charity he started in 2000 to support young adults going through cancer.
A two-time cancer survivor himself, Eaton said the COVID-19 pandemic has hit young adults with cancer hard.
“It has further enhanced their isolation, which is one of the biggest challenges they face,” Eaton said. “They need community, connection and support more than ever.”
One of their biggest fundraising events, Shave for the Brave, had to be put on hold this year because of the restrictions — like social-distancing requirements — put in place due to the pandemic.
“Literally the day before the mall community shave, we paused all shaves for the year,” Eaton said. “All the school shaves, the hockey shaves, the brave brunch, all of those things were pulled off the table for us this year. That was a huge financial hit to us.”
It amounts to between $300,000 and $400,000 dollars of revenue lost, Eaton said.
"All the school shaves, the hockey shaves, the brave brunch, all were pulled off the table for us this year. That was a huge financial hit. As soon as it’s safe to go back, we’ll be back, but until then, we have to find other ways to keep this thing going." — Geoff Eaton
“As soon as it’s safe to go back, we’ll be back, but until then, we have to find other ways to keep this thing going. That’s where Roller Brave comes in,” Eaton said.
Participants can use roller skates, a stroller, bike, skateboard, scooter, or wheelchair to go any distance, anywhere in Canada.
“Our goal is to get together as a team (and travel) 8,000 kilometres from Victoria to St. John’s, and we’re not going to stop until we get there,” Eaton said.
Jennifer Ryan is now cancer-free. But three years ago, at the age of 32, the mother of three was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
“Since then, I’ve found YACC and they have been a huge support to me… dealing with the wrench that cancer throws in someone’s life,” she said. “Because I benefit so much from the support from them, I thought it was important to give back.”
While Ryan clocked a few kilometres on her bike for the team, her children stood on the side cheering her on and enjoying the antics of the Newfoundland Growlers’ mascot, Buddy the Puffin and YACC mascot, Razor.
Trevor Murphy, the senior vice president of the Growlers, contributed about 15 laps to the cause on his rollerblades.
“We’ve always had a real significant involvement with (YACC),” Murphy said. “We’re so appreciative of the support we’ve been receiving over the years, it’s important to give back.”
Amanda Tippett, a member of 709 Roller Derby league, spent the hour skating, swerving and dancing around the track with the rest of her team.
Tippett, who is known in the 709 league as Sophie Brutale, said her team took part in Roller Brave because it’s a great organization working for a great cause.
“A lot of us have been affected by cancer in one way or another,” she said. “We’re really happy to be here.”
People can support Roller Brave by donating to rollerbrave.ca.
Twitter: @AndrewLWaterman
