Skate 4 Cancer is an organization that helps to raise awareness of cancer (different and all types of cancer) as well as educating people about things that we can do on a daily basis to avoid the devastating losses that cancer can cause. As stated on the Skate 4 Cancer website, their mission is:
"As cancer continues to dominate the leading causes of death by disease in North America, professionals diligently search for a solution to reverse the grim statistic. Though we stand in solidarity, Skate 4 Cancer recognizes that presently the best tool we have is knowledge on prevention. In fact, hope shines with the understanding that 80 % of all cancers can be avoided through early detection and healthy lifestyles. Inspired by this information, Skate 4 Cancer strives to foster a public awareness for these forms of cancer, emphasizing the importance of understanding our bodies and family histories while engaging in healthful living. Through active involvement with youth, Skate 4 Cancer endeavors to nurture a safe and energetic community that discusses the effects of cancer in a supportive, honest and unabashed manner. In order to accomplish inclusiveness, our events are free and all-ages, allowing us to spread the positive message to the largest possible demographic. Working together through accessing this community, we can combine all of our spirited passion to drastically reduce the presence of cancer. Right now, the cure is knowledge."
- Mission Statement - Skate 4 Cancer (http://www.skate4cancer.com/mission.aspx)
In the year of 2005, it was estimated that 1.4 million people in North America alone had some sort of cancerous disease. ( http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Many-People-Die-From-Cancer-Each-Year?&id=1872925). This stat seems overwhelming when realizing that there are people in our lives that are being affected every day by something that they could have quite possibly avoided or could have taken actions earlier to reverse the affects of cancerous diseases. The realization that cancer was capable of taking a loved ones life is what made the founder of Skate 4 Cancer decide to start something that would help people like himself; people who had lost family members to cancer.
Rob Dyer, founder of Skate 4 Cancer, began his journey in March of 2004 when he and a group of devoted volunteers met in Los Angeles, California. Rob's goal; skateboard from Los Angeles to his hometown of Newmarket, Ontario...while spreading the word on cancer and his journey along the way. Some interesting moments along the way included multiple run-ins with state authorities not wanting to let him continue on his journey, cars roaring by on busy highways at over 100 km's an hour, and people who thought that what he was doing was stupid, and wasn't getting to the core of the problem. Although these mishaps and bumps in the road were often time consuming and 'annoying', Rob continued on his journey, fighting for those with cancer who could no longer fight for themselves.
At the time, Rob who was 20 just had one goal; complete the long journey without dying along the way from heat exhaustion, or a cop taking him off of the road. When he completed the journey 3 months later, everything fully in tact, he stated that he was dissapointed with the overall journey in the fact that he had so many interuptions, it lost the initial goal of going from point a) to point b) without stopping for anything except sleep.
After the first Skate 4 Cancer was complete, the organization put on a concert in Toronto at the Mod Club Theatre in an attempt to help greater promote the organization and its' goals. Headlining this concert was Canadian singer/songwriter Dallas Green and the venue was sold out within hours of tickets being put on sale. It was on this night when leader of the organization Rob Dyer realized that although he was happy with the fundraising and what it had done for the organization thus far, his vision stretched farther than that. After that night, he began setting out to get people to donate their time rather than money.
After Rob's initial plans to raise money began to change, he and the organization began noticing that people were very willing to contribute their time (whether that was helping with the fundraising process, actively getting people involved with finding a cure for cancer and spreading the word of cancer, writing songs about finding a cure for cancer or just showing up to events!)
After the first show in Toronto at the Mod Club Theatre, Rob began touring around North America with bands such as: The Deftones, City and Colour, Alexisonfire, Silverstein, The Devil Wears Prada, and Shad.(http://www.skate4cancer.com/history.aspx) At shows across North America, he would set up booths trying to raise awareness about his organization as well as the causes and affects of cancer. After years of working with bands and groups accross the country and the United States, Skate 4 Cancer finally gained enough awareness and money to start its' own annual tour known as The Cure is Knowledge. This tour allowed Rob and a couple of bands to tour across Canada, putting on free shows to spread the word on Skate 4 Cancer.
After his second tour across Canada, Rob decided to do his second long skateboard ride, this time from Vancouver, Canada, to Halifax, Canada in 5 months. This time, the group of volunteers, who had been working with Rob for almost 4 years knew what to expect and set out on the road with much more confidence and information on the challenges the journey may bring.
When Rob hit Toronto on his long journey, MTV Canada and the Provincial Government agreed to shut down Yonge Street for a couple of hours during the day in the downtown core, so that kids from all over the GTA could skate beside Rob and the crew! This was one of the biggest moments of the second skateboarding tour!
Although dates have not been set for a third skate across Canada or the United States, Rob and his passionate followers and cowokers have set their eyes on New Zealand and Australia for the next big tour.
It is clear to see that this organization and Rob in particular had set out to do something that could affectively change the thought process around cancer and its' patients. In my mind, getting people actively involved with a cause that they can relate to does more in the long run than simply asking for money donations does. Knowledge and understanding are the key to making a positive change in our society, and I believe that Rob and Skate 4 Cancer do a fantastic job at creating this awareness and knowledge!
To find out more about Rob and his team, visit:
www.skate4cancer.com
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