“You build these friendships over the years. The energy is incredible. You meet new people, cheer on the cyclists, be a little crazy, and meet the families you’re helping.” — Corrie Dale
Sometimes, new friendships or experiences seem destined, as if every path leads you back to the same people or places. Whether real or imagined, fate undoubtedly played a role in guiding Corrie and David Dale to Kids Cancer Care’s Ride of Courage.
David’s long-distance cycling journey began in 2014 when he joined his cousin Mike in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. His wife Corrie and her cousin Melanie cheered them on from the sidelines. Fueled by emotion rather than logic, all four signed up for the 2015 Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Around the same time, Corrie’s mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, and their youngest daughter Baillie became a nanny for Ivy Sue, a little girl battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It wasn’t long before the Dales met Sean and Trish Rooney whose baby boy was fighting acute myeloid leukemia.
“I knew what Mom was going through because she could verbalize it, but a child? That’s a whole other thing,” says Corrie. “We decided that if we could raise money, we should.”
Determined to make a difference, they launched Duel It for the Kids — a night of dueling pianos, dancing, singing, and fun. Their initial fundraising goal was $2,500, but with a little encouragement (and a big audacious dare), they raised $15,000. At the end of the night, Corrie shaved her head while guests sang Lean on Me. At that moment, David and Corrie knew this had to become an annual event.
Since then, the dynamic duo from Medicine Hat has collectively cycled 8,510 km and raised nearly $350,000 to support children affected by cancer and they have no plans to slow down.
A mutual friend of the Rooneys introduced David to Tour for Kids Alberta, a three-day cycling event that raises funds to send children with cancer to Camp Kindle. When they learned that 100% of donations went directly to the cause, David and Mike were all in. Corrie and Melanie joined as dedicated volunteers.
The unstoppable pair has been rallying the Medicine Hat community ever since. While Corrie honed her project management skills, David built his endurance as a cyclist, culminating in his participation in the 2017 National Kids Cancer Ride. Raising funds for pediatric cancer centres across Canada, David and team cycled across the country in just 18 days. Corrie was right there behind him, driving a support vehicle, raising funds, and keeping Duel It for the Kids going strong.
While Corrie occasionally cycles for a day or two in the Ride of Courage, she thrives in her volunteer and fundraising roles: “I can be completely exhausted, but my body battery refuels immediately when doing this. The generosity, compassion, and sense of community are overwhelming.”
Thank you, Corrie and David, and all the volunteers, cyclists, sponsors and donors, who raise funds through the Ride of Courage. By supporting our camp programs, you’re helping to restore childhoods for children with cancer — so vital to their growth and development.
To register for our event, Ride of Courage, or to support our riders in their journey to help kids affected by cancer, please click on the button below.
