Langley cyclist Jean Knight will be riding in her 16th Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath this weekend.
Knight will be among 350 cyclists taking part in the BC Lung Association’s 30th annual fundraiser on Sept. 6 and 7, pedalling 200 kilometres from White Rock to Cultus Lake and back.
“I’ve suffered from pneumonia and know first-hand how scary life is when you can’t breathe,” Knight said.
“I first heard about Trek on the radio when looking for a healthy activity to do with my husband. It promised beautiful scenery I thought, why not? But after participating, it struck what a great way Trek was to stay fit and give back, particularly for those with little spare time to contribute exclusively to volunteering.”
Over the event’s 30-year history ‘Trekkers’ have raised more than $6 million to help fight lung disease.
The Trek is a recreational ride, not a race, designed for everyone from the casual rider to the experienced cyclist.
Cyclists pay a $40 administration fee and must raise a minimum donation of $500.
In return, participants travel a fully supported route from start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel their journey, and fabulous scenery.
“A couple of times, my whole family did it,” Knight said.
“We love the physical challenge, the food is great and there’s never a shortage of laughter.”
For more information, call the BC Lung Association at 604-731-5864 or visit www.bicycletrek.ca.
Quick Facts:
One in every five British Columbians currently suffers from lung disease.
The rate of asthma in children is four times higher than it was 20 years ago (300,000 British Columbians currently suffer from asthma) and is the primary cause of child emergency visits.
COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – is the most common cause of adult hospitalization and the fourth leading cause of death in Canada.
One Canadian dies every 20 minutes from lung disease.