BY BILL PHILLIPS
For most people a polka-dot jersey might not be high on their list of fashion must-haves for 2019.
But for Ron Gallo, it’s exactly what he wants to wear this summer. And it won’t be cheap. The jersey he’s looking to wear costs $15,000.
So what is the haute couture outfit that provides these $15,000 jerseys? The Ride to Conquer Cancer. All Gallo has to do earn the right to wear one of these prestigious jerseys is be one of the first 10 riders to raise $15,000 for the B.C. Cancer Foundation, which is what the Ride to Conquer Cancer is all about.
“When you go on the ride and you get to ride along cancer survivors and feel the energy, the enthusiasm, and the momentum to try and raise money to do something to help people who are dealing with cancer, it grabs hold of you … it leaves an impression,” said Gallo, who is getting ready for his fifth B.C. Ride to Conquer Cancer.
He is an integral member of the Wheelin’ Warriors of the North cycling team, which has raised $750,000 for the B.C. Cancer Foundation over the past seven years.
“I want to be one of those people that is recognized for achieving a lofty goal,” he said. “I know I’m not the kind of person to just knock on a business’ door and say ‘hey will you give me a couple thousand dollars for my ride.’”
So he looked for a different way to reach his fundraising goal and the idea of the Conquer Cancer 50/50 draw was born.
“It’s 2,000 tickets, $10 apiece and if it’s a sellout that’s $20,000 gross,” he said. “That’s $10,000 to the winner and $10,000 to the B.C. Cancer Foundation.”
And, that will put Gallo closer to that $15,000 fundraising goal for the polka dot jersey.
Gallo says the draw is about 75 per cent sold out already (which means the pot will be at least $7,500 as will the B.C. Cancer Foundation).
The draw will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday evening (Jan. 17) at the Westwood Pub. There will be a beer and burger ticket available for purchase, Cindy Klassen will be performing her comedy show, and there will be a number silent auction items.
The deadline to get a ticket is also 8 p.m., so you can get tickets right up until draw time. The best way to get a ticket is to contact Gallo at 250-617-9268. Tickets are also available at Active Body and Nutrition, Koops Bikes, Boardwalk Properties, Portal Installations, and Brink Forest Products.
So get a ticket, you will not only have a chance at winning some cash, but you will help cancer research in B.C.
“The B.C. Cancer Centre for the North will be a benefactor of some of that money,” he said. “We see that in the research and the treatment that’s come to Prince George in the past couple of years.”