C2C4ALS – cross-Canada ride for ALS.

Thursday, June 1, 2010 marks day three of the C2C4ALS ride, Doug Oakley’s second motorcycle tour to raise funds for those living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS.

Eighteen months ago Doug was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It was at that moment that he knew he could no longer put off his dreams of riding the 4 Corners Tour – an epic motorcycle trip that took him to the four corners of the US, and a brief tour through Canada. Now he’s at it again.

Doug’s last trip spurred his desire to ride across Canada. However, since that ride Doug has lost the use of his hand and has to compensate by modifying the clutch on his bike. With that done, he is ready to begin the 18-day ride.

C2C4ALS will take Doug across Canada from June 29 – July 17, 2010 with stops in communities from Vancouver, British Columbia to Mount Pearl, Newfoundland. C2C4ALS will help Doug to raise awareness of ALS and raise funds for those who live with the life altering disease.

Kreater in Kelowna will kick start day three of the tour tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. The ALS Society of BC, community members and fellow riders will join Kreater in supporting Doug as he heads toward Cranbrook where he will be welcomed by family and community supporters.

Gloria Taylor of West Kelowna is looking forward to attending tomorrow’s event. In addition to founding the Kelowna Association of Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) in 1988, Gloria was diagnosed with ALS this past December.

“Through this ride Doug is providing inspiration and hope to others living with ALS,” says Gloria. “Modifying your bike to allow you to keep riding is simply amazing! I wish that I was able to join him – if I could ride with Doug you wouldn’t be able to keep me away – but some days its hard enough to just open a pop can.“

The Kelowna AIM Chapter was founded in 1988 after a friend of Gloria’s lost his daughter in a motorcycle accident and Gloria herself was hit by a car while attending the Sturgis, South Dakota, Motorcycle Classic in 1987. When the accident happened, a Vancouver AIM Lawyer, and member, was quick to contact fellow AIM members attending Sturgis who were able to secure and ship Gloria’s bike back to Vancouver. AIM then flew Gloria home to Kelowna and had her bike delivered to her doorstep a few weeks later.

As Doug touches down in communities across the country, events similar to the one Kreater will be hosting will be held at local motorcycle dealerships to bring together community members like Gloria, supporters, media and riders. While in Toronto, Doug will be sure to take in a Toronto Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre as they are set to face Doug’s hometown team the Boston Red Sox.

Kelowna Schedule

Date:        July 1, 2010
Time:       9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Kreater, 2759 Hwy 97, Kelowna
        
To support Doug and to find out where he will be next, follow Doug on www.doug-oakley.com or Twitter.com/dougoakley.

About Doug Oakley
Doug is a 47-year old mortgage broker, which may only be slightly more exciting than an accountant. He’s owned a Harley for 11 years, and has recently been challenged to live many of his dreams as quickly as possible. From Weymouth, Massachusetts, Doug has been involved with Compassionate Care ALS, a US based charity organization that supports patients and caregivers by providing a holistic approach to patient and caregiver support. More information on C2C4ALS and Doug can be found on www.doug-oakley.com or Twitter.com/dougoakley.