Almost four years ago, the last thing on Stephen Radu’s mind was riding a bike to raise funds to fight cancer.
The 17-year-old Lacombe Composite High School student was just starting a battle in November 2006 after a cancerous tumour was detected at his brain stem.
Now, after a long but steady battle to beat the odds, Radu is ready to embark on a 300-km bike ride on Friday to raise awareness and funds to allow cancer-affected children to attend camp.
It’s been an amazing fight for the gutsy teen.
The cancer initially robbed him of his movement and speech.
Initially, he was taken to hospital in Edmonton for surgery, radiation and high-dose chemotherapy, which helped to stop the cancer but also wiped out his white blood cells.
He was transferred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary to undergo “stem cell rescue,” which used his own stem cells to kick-start his immune system. After the surgery, Stephen didn’t talk for four months and lost his mobility.
Now two years later, the cancer is gone and he can talk and walk. The high school student who likes math and science plans to attend university to become an accountant.
The three-day bike ride will be a “good test” for him, he said Wednesday. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
He admitted the ride will be a challenge because he’s never ridden a recumbent bike other than around his home.
“It’s going to be a great experience if it doesn’t rain too much,” he said.
Recumbent bicycles place the riders in a reclined position. Most riders choose the design for ergonomic reasons. The rider’s weight is distributed comfortably over the back and buttocks.
Radu and other cyclists will start in Calgary and take the Bow Valley Parkway to the David Thompson Park Resort, then the Westward Ho Park campground near Sundre before returning to the northwest area of Calgary on Sunday.
Gail Anne Corbett, manager of communications for the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, said about 110 cyclists will make the trip, including two other kids impacted by cancer.
Corbett said every penny raised goes toward sending children with cancer to camp.
As he received the therapy and began his recovery, from April to July of 2007, the Radu family — including mom Brenda, dad Richard, their daughter Lara and eventually Stephen — stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Calgary.
People interested in sponsoring Radu or other riders can do so by calling -1-403-216-9210 or toll free at 1-888-554-2267 extension 227 or online at www.kidscancercare.ab.ca and follow the donate link.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com