Childhood cancer is something Chuck Magnus (RE/MAX Little Oak Realty in Surrey) knows about all too well. His daughter Kristen has been battling cancer since 2012, and his passion to make a change has only grown over the years. This year he was hand picked to join the 2017 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, a team of 38 riders from across Canada, because of his story, his passion and his devotion to help children living with paediatric cancer.

On September 6, Chuck will begin his 18 day ride across Canada beginning in White Rock, and finishing on September 23 in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia.  Along the way, he’ll be stopping at ten Children’s Hospitals to visit with the kids who are presently admitted. He’ll be able to give them hope by sharing his story with them and by showing them how important each and every one of them are.

“Just to be able to visit with those beautiful children will make me forget about any aches or pains that I may have.  I am very humbly honoured to have the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board members and staff stand behind me”.

Riding 7,000 kilometres is no small feat, and requires more training than anyone could even imagine. (Currently, Chuck’s training approximately 200 kilometres a week in order to be ready!)

The Township of Langley will be featuring a story on May 1, 2017 so be sure to check it out. As well, Mark Warawa, MP for Langley-Aldergrove, will be speaking about Chuck’s Ride for Cancer in the House of Commons on September 18.

The ride is 100% funded by each rider, and by sponsorship. For Chuck, this means that 100% of each donation will be distributed to paediatric cancer. There are no administration fees. And by donating you’ll be entered into a contest to win a 4 night stay at the Stirling Arm Lake House, which can be booked anytime between October 2017 and March 2018 (a $2,800 value). Take a tour of the house on VRBO. For every $20 donated you’ll get 1 chance to win (ie $100 = 5 chances, etc). The draw will take place on October 1st , 2017.

Chuck’s goal is to personally raise $100,000. We hope you will read his story, and consider giving to this cause ($20+ you will receive a donation receipt), and show him encouragement when you see him.

For more information and to donate, please go to www.snkcr.com/chuckmagnus. A huge thanks to everyone who’s donated so far!

Here’s his story:

I ride because I can

It was back in 2011 on a summer afternoon, I stood in Whistler and watched with fascination, the procession of the GranFondo coming to its completion. Watching so many people from a range of all ages cross that finish line was powerful for me. I understood that each individual must have set a huge goal for themselves to achieve crossing that finish line. It was later that same afternoon that I decided I wanted to get a bike. Deep down I wasn’t sure what I was doing but I felt compelled and I knew I could use a bike as a tool for helping others. One week later I came home with the bike, a jersey, some shorts, and really, I had no idea how powerful this passion would become.

It was later this same year that our youngest daughter, Kristen, was diagnosed with Cancer. Shortly after her diagnosis, a good friend of mine told me about the Ride to Conquer Cancer. I can recall sitting and researching the Ride to Conquer Cancer early one morning and it didn’t take me too long to sign up to ride and join with “Team Finn”. I had enrolled in something that I couldn’t perceive how deeply impactful it would be for me. The next step in honouring my commitment was to begin training. Training involved learning a completely new sport that I had no idea about, which was a learning curve. I had no idea what I was in for.

I still clearly remember the morning of my first ride June 18th, 2012. I felt nervous, emotional and excited but still had no clear picture of what was ahead of me. All I knew was, for me, this ride was for Kristen and deep down nothing else mattered. I knew that I could make the finish line. I remember that morning as my wonderful bride, Laurie stood next to me giving me her support.

Five years later, my passion to find a cure for paediatric cancer has only grown stronger and once again, I have signed myself up for another ride. I have no doubt that I can’t fully appreciate yet how all encompassing and life altering this new goal will be. This one, covering a much greater distance (Vancouver to Halifax) will mean that I could be riding as much as 300 kilometres a day. I recognise that this will be uniquely challenging for me but it’s nothing compared to what our beautiful daughter Kristen is going through. To complete an exhausting day of riding and to then have the incredible honour of visiting a Children’s Hospital and see the faces of those dear children suffering and fighting cancer will be more than enough to remove any aches and pains I may be feeling. Also, each day that I ride I know that I am going to be that much closer to New Brunswick and will eventually ride right through Kristen’s backyard.

I am extremely honoured and blessed to be part of the Sears Coast to Coast ride which donates 100% of all funds raised towards paediatric cancer research. Will you partner with me in my ride for all the precious kids who suffer with cancer?

Thank you for your continued support,

Chuck