When I first learned my mom had cancer, I wished I had the power to stop time.鈥�
Avic Arenas lost her mother, Victoria, to cervical cancer in 2018. A cancer with little hope once it reaches an aggressive stage, the family was told early on that they had little time left with their mother.
鈥淎t the same time my mom was going through her treatment, my uncle was battling colon cancer,鈥� says Avic. 鈥淭he experience was a struggle for us, but my mom was so strong and so brave 鈥� she never complained once.鈥�
Avic鈥檚 mother was treated at BC Cancer 鈥� Vancouver for the duration of her bout with cancer. 鈥淭he staff was amazing 鈥� people give so much; their time, effort, and complete compassion.鈥�
Before her mother passed away, Avic and her family decided to go on one final family trip.
鈥淲e all went to the Philippines for New Year鈥檚 one last time, even though it was almost impossible for my mom to get there with her failing health. We鈥檙e so grateful we went and created that together.鈥�
Last summer, after her mom had passed away, a colleague at work approached Avic to see if she would be interested in a team challenge in support of cancer research and care: the Ride to Conquer Cancer 鈥� a 200-kilometre cycle from Vancouver to Hope. She accepted, and raised more than $2,500 to honour her late mother.
鈥淲ords aren鈥檛 enough to describe the Ride experience 鈥� it鈥檚 very close to my heart,鈥� she says. 鈥淧eople should know it鈥檚 not just riding a bike 鈥� the fundraising component goes so far for people in our communities, whether its equipment, research, early detection 鈥� it鈥檚 funding breakthroughs.鈥�
Avic will be hitting the pavement for a second year to ride in the 11th annual B.C. Ride to Conquer Cancer on Aug. 24 & 25 as a member of Team Denton鈥檚 Riders of Justice.
鈥淔or those aspiring to Ride, or support a rider 鈥� you should go for it. It鈥檚 overwhelming, it鈥檚 fun and it鈥檚 an amazing experience to come together with thousands to support a common goal. It fuels hope.鈥�
Thanks to advancements in research, there鈥檚 now a vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer.
You can help change cancer outcomes.
To support a rider in your community, please visit:
