After Tanya Young was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, she and her family discovered how many costs are not covered by medical plans, and now, they want to help others who are going through a similar experience.
Tanya’s husband, Shawn, created a non-profit organization called TeamTanya “The Breast Ride.” In order to raise awareness and money, he embarked on a four-day motorcycle ride down to the Lower Mainland and back on Friday (June 14), joined by family and friends. Shawn rode 2,546 kilometres in a big loop from Quesnel to Port Coquitlam and back and finished his ride Monday night (June 17).
Tanya was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2017, and the couple wants to help others who are fighting or have fought breast cancer.
“We recognize just what all isn’t covered by MSP and your regular medical plans, so my husband started a non-profit organization, TeamTanya ‘The Breast Ride,’ and we are raising money,” she said.
The Youngs want to raise money to help others going through breast cancer pay for things like out-of-town travel to appointments and prescriptions for drugs that are not covered by Medical Services Plan or extended health benefits and to help ease the financial stress of needing to take time off work.
The Youngs have been selling patches and decals and collecting donations leading up to and during Shawn’s ride, and 100 per cent of the proceeds will support someone who could use the financial help.
The Youngs have been asking people to nominate somebody they think could use a boost. They will be combining all the names of those nominated and draw the name of the individual who will receive financial assistance during a Facebook live video on Wednesday, June 19. Their goal is to reach $5,000, but if they can surpass that, they will be able to provide assistance to more than one person.
“The big thing about this is we’d like people to nominate somebody, nominate somebody you know who has breast cancer or had breast cancer and could use the financial help, like myself, we know how hard that can be,” said Tanya. “This is our way to give back to somebody and help with their financial burden a little bit and put a smile on their face.”
During the four-day ride, Shawn was joined by friends and family, and he had meet-ups at various stops along the route. He planned to sleep on the ground under a tent.
“Hopefully, this will be the first year, and we’ll work out all the bugs,” said Shawn.
For more information about Team Tanya The Breast Ride, visit thebreastride.wixsite.com/website or find them on Facebook at facebook.com/TheBreastRide/
READ MORE: Annual Quesnel motorcycle charity run gives back to riders
editor@quesnelobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
