Opening/Chair: Barbara Goit was Chair for the day. She asked Laurie to lead the group in the singing of O Canada and then invited people to observe a moment of personal reflection.  

 

Barbara acknowledged that today is Audrie-Jo's birthday.  She also went over the list of other members with birthdays and anniversaries this month. A complete list is always in the bulletin. 

 

Visitors/Guests: There were several visitors and guests at the meeting today. In addition to the guest speaker, in attendance was Allan Bruce, a former member of the club, Ron Zwaagstra, Past President of the Rotary Club of Sackville and Area and PDG Gord Hankin from the Rotary Eclub of Atlantic Canada.

 

Happy Mug: There were many happy Rotarians today including, Alana (successful cat surgery), Judy (great grand opening events downtown), Jean (just happy to be able to be at the meeting), Kirk (for being named Atlantic Portrait Photographer of the year), Christine (for the great opening of the civic square and for being in a Hubtown play at the Marigold (Calendar Girls)) , Jim Gould (for family), Ted (great cruise and family health), Dave (for fellow Habs fan Chri), Barbara (for the Rotary Foundation's award as Charity of the year).

 

Attendance:  65% 

 

50/50:  Chester had the lucky ticket (again!) however the joker eluded him. The group expressed their traditional sympathy.

 

Member Health:  Ed MacDonald is at the hospital every day with Marie. He appreciates receiving email correspondence.

 

Committee Reports: 

 

Introduction of speaker by Barbara.

 

"Our guest speaker today is Chris MacDougall.

Chris is familiar to most of us. For years, Chris and his many brothers and sisters attended our Christmas breakfasts with his parents Lorne and Betty. Chris was honoured by our Club with the Community Service Award in 2008-9 for his extensive community work - most particularly as chair of the capital campaign for our new hospital. That's when I really got to know Chris! I learned how deeply committed he is to family and community, that he is a man of his word and how he is not afraid of a challenge.

Chris, a former lawyer in this area, now owns and operates Tim Hortons franchises in Elmsdale and Enfield with his son Dan.

Chris and Karen are parents of two sons - Dan and Charlie. Their lives changed forever in 2001 when 11 year old Charlie was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, the same bone cancer that Terry Fox had. Sadly, Charlie died in 2004 at the age of 14.

Life has taken Chris and his family in many directions since that awful day. Chris has thrown himself into many projects but there was always something working in the back of his mind. That finally crystallized with a plan to join two of his loves - that of his sons and that of cycling. Oh yes, one other "love" - fundraising!

On July 24 Chris began his cross country bicycle journey in memory of Charlie and to raise awareness of and funds for leading edge cancer research at Dalhousie Medical School through the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute - an organization he chairs. His journey concluded on September 28 in St. John's, NL fittingly at the mile zero statue erected in honour of Terry Fox. It is worth noting that, with the exception of transaction fees, this journey was self funded.

Jim and I were privileged to see Chris twice during his journey - in Ottawa and in northern New Brunswick.

I could say more but I won't! Please join me in welcoming Chris as he shares his inspiring journey and what he is continuing to do to honour his boys."

 

 

Chris gave an informative presentation on current state of cancer research. There has been considerable progress and now the outlook for those with certain cancers is much better than just a few years ago.  Some of the most leading edge research is happening right here in Nova Scotia.

 

Chris also shared some of his experience during the bike ride. He travelled 7,185.41 km and averaged approximately 130 kms per day for two months. He suffered twelve flat tires and other mechanical issues with his bike however the weather was exceptional with only 4 days or rain.  

 

Close to $250,000 has been raised. The fundraising effort will live on into perpetuity through the Charlie and Dan MacDougall Endowment Fund for Cancer Research (through the Beatrice Hunter Research Foundation).

 

Jim Goit thanked Chris saying he was an inspiration to everyone - particularly to those of his fellow cyclists who really know what a feat he has accomplished.

 

Donations to support Charile's Ride can be made to https://dmrf.ca/about/our-stories/charlies-ride-for-cancer-research/ 

 

Closing: 1:15pm