June 21, 2010 marks the second year that a small group of friends will ride back to Vancouver after completing the BC Cancer Foundation Ride to Conquer Cancer from Vancouver to Seattle. Last year's "Journey Home" raised funds for our friend Sindi Hawkins and her Education Endowment at BC Cancer Foundation.
This year's Journey Home Ride will be ridden in memory of Michael Meier who lost his fight with cancer in the Autumn of 2009. Michael was the brother of professional cyclist Christian Meier of the Garmin-Transitions Pro Cycling Team.
Michael Reinhold Meier passed away six days shy of his 26th birthday. Michael was a hard worker who loved trucks and engines. He lived in New Brunswick but trucked all over North America, and he very much enjoyed his career. He faced a short, but very intense, battle with cancer which nobody saw coming. In mid-March 2009 Michael went to the hospital after a very painful headache. After undergoing brain scans and tests, he was booked for emergency brain surgery two days later. Doctors removed a tumor and after going through radiation and chemotherapy Michael's doctors were extremely optimistic that he would make a full recovery. However, three months after the surgery Michael's face started swelling and his family encouraged him to go back to the hospital to get everything checked out.
His doctors did more tests and after many days came to the conclusion that the cancer had returned, more intense then before. They gave him six months to live, but he did not even get three. Christian was riding in the Vuelta Espana when he learned of his brother's passing and immediately left the race to return to New Brunswick to be with his family.
During Michael's battle with brain cancer he remained strong and very positive. He truly thought he was going to win the fight. He spent a lot of time with his family during the last few months, and died in hospital with his wife by his side.
He is survived by his wife Katie and two children, Kristina and Sophia.
Our hope is that by riding in Michael's memory it will give us all the motivation to be able to raise enough money to fund the development of an education and early stage detection program in British Columbia.
Stay tuned for details on how you may donate or support the Journey Home. For more details please contact Philip Meyer, pmeyer(at)wedgewoodhotel.com.
About the Ride
- Journey Home
- The Journey Home is a ride about challenge, teamwork, camaraderie and hope. | The 2010 Journey Home Ride will be ridden in memory of Michael Meier who lost his fight with cancer in the Autumn of 2009. Michael was the brother of professional cyclist Christian Meier of the Garmin-Transitions Pro Cycling Team | Michael Reinhold Meier fought a very short, very intense battle with brain cancer and passed away six days shy of his 26th birthday. He is survived by his wife Katie and two children, Kristina and Sophia | Our hope is that by riding in Michael's memory it will give us all the motivation to be able to raise enough money to fund the development of an education and early stage detection program in British Columbia | For details on how you may donate or support the Journey Home please contact Philip Meyer using the email link.
Your donation will be processed by our partner letsFcancer.com. You will be transferred to their site when you click the "Donate Now" button.
Journey Home Founding Members Alumni
Axel & Jodi Merckx, 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment