Formerly, we organized the WESTCOAST and Vancouver Island Motorcycle Ride for Dad in 2008 & 2009 and now are very excited to announce our very own BC ride. Our new ride will be known as the WESTCOAST Motorcycle RIDE To LIVE with rides in both Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

Our recent decision to no longer operate a charity motorcycle ride under the Motorcycle Ride for Dad “MRFD” brand was difficult and took our committee members a large amount of soul searching – it was not made in haste.

Both our volunteer executive committees are committed to raising funds for the fight against Prostate Cancer. Our volunteer committees are also committed to maximizing our fund raising dollars and feel that we want all donations to be spent in the most efficient and effective manner possible given the options available to us here in British Columbia.

In the end we decided the MRFD model for fighting Prostate Cancer does not afford our committees the best opportunity to support Prostate Cancer research, education, awareness and support in our province. In BC the medical system is significantly underfunded and Prostate Cancer patients have no support from the time of diagnosis.

In our personal experience the need for Prostate Cancer patient support is most critical once you have been diagnosed and are put in the difficult position to make a treatment decision. Currently there is little or no support to assist you in making this life altering decision. Further hampering any decision is the complexities of the treatment options and varied opinions on their merits.

Unfortunately the MRFD model no longer provides for funding of support and education opportunities and we feel this is a significant error in judgement, just ask any prostate cancer survivor. This is a journey that should never be taken alone.

Our committee’s feels there are a number of things we could do to continue the Ride and improve the way we do our business. We have decided to move ahead with our Rides by joining forces with Prostate Cancer Foundation BC - www.prostatecancerbc.ca for the WESTCOAST (Vancouver) ride, and with The PROSTATE CENTRE - www.theprostatecentre.org for the WESTCOAST (Vancouver Island) ride. Both British Columbia non-profit organizations are in the fight against Prostate Cancer. These provincial organizations share similar views and have a stellar history in supporting Prostate Cancer research, awareness, support and education in B.C.

Another benefit working with these non-profit BC foundations is that we can operate our Ride at significantly less cost resulting in more money being available for the fight. In addition the release of the donations would be on a timelier basis (all funds released by September “Prostate Cancer month”, following the rides) yet under the scrutiny of a credited granting committee. Our volunteer committees and our numerous corporate sponsors are strong believers that all the funds raised in B.C. will remain in B.C. and making this change will ensure our mandate is met.


Going forward our vision is to work together with all groups / agencies in the battle against Prostate Cancer, including MRFD where possible.

"New"

WESTCOAST Motorcycle Ride to Live - www.ridetolive.ca - (web site opening soon)
WESTCOAST - Ride to Live - Vancouver is Sunday May 30th 2010
WESTCOAST – Ride to Live - Vancouver Island is Sunday June 6th 2010

Both Rides, with the support of the 911 Community – Police, Fire, Ambulance and Sheriffs of B.C.

We're so grateful that you have participated in the Rides and Supported the fight against Prostate Cancer and we hope that you will continue to support us in 2010 and do it for BC.

Visit us for all the ride details at the:
Vancouver International Motorcycle Show
January 21st to 24th 2010 at the Tradex in Abbotsford

Yours Sincerely,
Peter & Colleen Groenland
Executive Directors, WESTCOAST Motorcycle Ride to Live – Vancouver

Luc Beauvais
Executive Director, WESTCOAST Motorcycle Ride to Live

Please join our West Coast Ride to Live Group here at My Biker Space.ca