About Ray's Ride:

My name is Ray Ellis of the Belleville Fire Dept. I have been a firefighter for the past 18 years. The last two years, I have been involved with the Firefighter Combat Challenge, which is a competition that takes place right across North America.

Last year I started Ray's Ride for Cancer. It was a bicycle ride that took me from Belleville to Petawawa for their competition in July, then it was off to Quinte West for theirs. After that it was off to Longueuil P.Q. for late August, and finally I rode to Sherbrooke P.Q. for the Canadian National Championships.

The 2005 season my ride will take me from Belleville to Windsor for their competition and then off to Edmonton for the Canadian Nationals in September.

I started Ray's Ride for Cancer for two reasons. First, was to bring the public's attention to the cancer hazards firefighters are faced with everyday on the job. The new fabrics and liquid chemicals that are being developed to make our life easier are giving off more deadly toxic smoke everyday.

Second, my family has been hit very hard with cancer, my father-in-law is currently dealing with this disease.

My situation is no different than yours. Each of us will be affected some how in our lifetime, whether it be a friend, neighbor, relative or ourselves. Statistics say that one in three will contract some form of cancer. That is a statistic that must be changed.

Research has come a long way over the last few years but we have a long way to go. Unfortunately, it takes a great deal of money for the doctors and scientists to do their work.

Ray's Ride for Cancer is just my way of raising funds for the cause. I hope that you will support me in my efforts.

Sincerely
Ray Ellis

I would like to thank last year's sponsors - Bellevue Fabricating, Stephen License, C&R Autobody, Pop's Graphics, Reids Dairy, Pita Pit, Body Systems, and Delta Hotels.

I would especially like to thank my wife Dianne for her love, support, and encouragement. Without it, this ride wouldn't be possible.

Two people who will always be with me on my ride this year are Mike Adamson of the Strathcona, Alberta Fire Dept., a brother who passed away December 2, 2004 at the age of 27 with brain cancer and my brother in law Merv Campbell who passed away December 20, 2004 with pancreatic cancer. Because of your donations funding new cancer research, Merv was on a new Chemotherapy and he blessed us with an extra year and a half with a great quality of life. They are sadly missed and will always be in my thoughts as I ride this year.