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ZOE SZUCH
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Four Ontarians are paying tribute to
inspirational Canadians who have battled cancer by cycling from
coast to coast.
The Typically Canadian Group (TCG)
comprised of Kyle Braatz, Steve Coleman, Alex Gray and Andrew
Hopkins stopped into the Hat on Monday.
TCG along with about a dozen of Medicine
Hat Firefighters washed cars at the Crestwood Coin Car Wash and
raised more than $2,000 in only a few hours.
According to TCG president Kyle Braatz,
TCG hope to raise $720,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society by the
end of their cycling journey but it's not all about the money.
"Our main goal is to honour the lives of
inspiring Canadians but obviously we have a financial goal as
well."
To group started because the four best
friends realized they each have people in their lives who battled
cancer.
"We decided we wanted to do something to
pay tribute to their lives – to the people who inspired
us."
Braatz's personal inspiration came from
his grandfather Frank Duff Moores, the second Premier of
Newfoundland, who passed away in 2005.
"He was the best story teller I've ever
heard in my entire life and when he told you stories, he took you
on adventures with him."
Braatz wanted to take his grandfather on
one last adventure, so he and his buddies began planning the tour
last April.
Braatz grew up in a 'firefighting'
household – his dad is a fireman in London Ont. – and
said firefighters often have a higher incidence rate of cancer due
to workplace hazards. TCG approached firefighters across Canada,
asked for their support and received it.
The TCG Tribute Tour is presented by
firefighters and they are helping out TCG by allowing them to use
their shower and laundry facilities at each of the 72 stops on the
tour.
"They treat us like family and like this
is our home," Braatz said.
Medicine Hat firefighter Patrick Jerome
said "one of our managers is actually fighting cancer right now, so
this is really near and dear to our hearts." Jerome, who also
co-ordinated the fundraising carwash, said helping fight cancer is
as much a personal issue, as a professional one because many
families have someone battling the disease.
The Medicine Hat Firefighters Association
Local 263 is donating $1,000 to help TCG reach their goal.
To date the foursome have raised nearly
$25,000 and if anyone is interested in donating funds, you can drop
by any of the Medicine Hat Fire Stations before July 26, or donate
online at www.typicallycanadian.com |
