Organizers of the TraX4 Breast Cancer ATV ride were carrying a torch as they hosted the 10th edition of the event May 4.
The annual fundraiser for the Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation was co-founded by Tracey Guthrie. She lost her 19-year battle with breast cancer three years ago.
Despite that, Guthrie’s friends and family have continued the event in her stead and reached the decade milestone. Co-founder Suzy Stenoff said Guthrie would be glad to see the event carry on.
“This is really her baby, her brainchild and she would have wanted to see this group,” Stenoff said. “I know she’d be really proud to have all of you here today representing the event.”
The co-ed event’s 42 participants raised $42,000 for the foundation, which helps breast cancer patients cover living and travel expenses.
This was the first time the event has been held in Haliburton, with ATV riders taking off from the Pinestone Resort to hit county trails.
Volunteer Lindsay Draper said participants were looking for a change in atmosphere for the event, which has previously been held in Sequin and Parry Sound.
“It gives us an opportunity to open up this event to others who are not able to travel and also bring more awareness to the event and the charity with new surroundings,” Draper said.
Brooke Creighton participated for her fourth time. She said the cause is an important one to support, with the foundation getting seven to 10 applications from people seeking financial assistance every week.
“The more the awareness grows for the charity, the more applications we get and there’s just not enough money to go around,” Creighton said. “We want to be able to help as many people as we can. There’s a great financial need when you’re going through breast cancer.”
Lori Mathers said she was participating for the first time in honour of two colleagues battling breast cancer.
“I love them and they’re an inspiration to me,” Mathers said. “We’re all touched by cancer in some way.”
Draper said people in the Haliburton area have embraced the event and organizers hope to continue to expand it.
“We’re keeping Tracey’s dream alive of this event and growing it and just keeping that awareness out there that this charity is here,” she said. “Everybody in the community has just really jumped on board.”
