St. Catharines Standard e-edition

Blind senior rides for cancer

Bill Wall, 95, oldest to take part in fundraising event

PAUL FORSYTH NIAGARA THIS WEEK

Bill Wall is nothing if not determined, but he has a very good reason to put his bulldog-like tenacity to good use: helping people with cancer fighting for their lives.

The 95-year-old Niagara Falls resident will be the oldest participant among the thousands of people taking part in this weekend’s annual Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer, in which cyclists make the huge journey from Toronto to the Niagara Parkway in Niagara Falls.

Along with his age, Wall’s other challenge in doing so is that he has been legally blind since 2003 due to macular degeneration. But that isn’t about to stop him.

Wall was going to hang up his bicycle shorts and helmet in 2020 in what would have been his 10th Ride to Conquer Cancer event, cycling 220 kilometres from Toronto to Niagara Falls. But COVID-19 monkeyed that all up, with large group gatherings forbidden, so instead, that year, he opted for a 50-kilometre bike ride from Niagara Falls to Fort Erie, followed by another local ride the next year from Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-lake.

In 2022, he opted to help out by volunteering as a support crew member, but this year, he’ll be back in the saddle, riding on a tandem bike with Owen Duke from Pedego Electric Bikes Toronto, which is supplying him with an e-bike.

Wall’s wife Barbara said some people scratch their heads at the thought of a man a few years short of a century old, who is blind, riding 220 kilometres.

“People ask him, ‘How can you do it at this age?’ ” she said.

Wall, who was hoping the weekend’s big ride wasn’t scuttled by the poor air quality due to the wildfires, said it’s all about determination.

“I’m 95 years young, I’ve had open heart surgery with triple bypass surgery, I’ve had a shoulder replaced,” he said. “I say to people, if I can do this ride, you can.”

A number of years ago, after he lost his vision, Wall said during a Ride to Conquer Cancer that a

teacher participating in the ride from Kitchener approached him to say that the previous year, he’d taken part for the first time and was inspired to learn about Wall’s participation despite being legally blind. The teacher showed a video of Wall’s story to his class.

“He said ‘I’d like to shake your hand,’” said Wall. “He said, ‘I had two students with me last year, but I showed your video and I have 20 students with me this year.’

“That’s 20 children who had to raise a minimum of $2,500. That made me so proud.”

The epic bike rides Wall has made are a continuation of the long support he and Barbara have shown for Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Barbara said they took part in numerous two-day, 60-kilometre walks to raise funds for the cancer centre.

Wall said that while he hasn’t been personally affected by cancer, one in five Canadians will be diagnosed in their lifetimes.

“I don’t know anybody who hasn’t been affected by this,” he said. “It’s why we have to try to conquer cancer. (This) gives me the opportunity once again to raise funds for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to help them carry on the research that will conquer cancer in our lifetime.”

Wall has already exceeded his goal of raising $10,000, but he’s hoping people will still consider sponsoring him. Donations can be made to his ride at supportthepmcf.ca/ui/ride23/p/billwall.

FRONT PAGE

en-ca

2023-06-10T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-10T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://stcatharinesstandard.pressreader.com/article/281483575784711

Toronto Star Newspapers Limited