'Cure this dreaded disease': Sikh Motorcycle Club rides for annual diabetes fundraiser
Dozens of members from the Sikh Motorcycle Club came from across Ontario including Ottawa, Southwestern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area to participate in their annual event, Ride for Cause.
The event is to raise awareness and money to help find a cure for diabetes which has become a growing concern in the country.
"In Canada we have 11 million Canadians with diabetes or pre-diabetes. This is a crisis of our time and to have the Sikh Motorcycle Club fundraise to help end diabetes is just a wonderful thing," said Grant Maltman, Curator of Banting House National Historic Site.
He adds one in three Canadians is diagnosed with diabetes.
The ride started at 11 a.m. Saturday morning in Brampton, ending at the front steps of the Banting House National Historic Site in London, the birthplace of Insulin 100 years ago this month.
"When we discovered insulin 100 years ago here, we shared it with the world. And I think we need to take that leadership role again to do more for diabetes and cure this dreaded disease once and for all," said Jagdeep Singh, Spokesperson for Sikh Motorcycle Club.
Members celebrated their ride with speeches, pictures, a sugar-free cake and a cheque presentation to Diabetes Canada for $113 thousand from Sikh Motorcycle Club chapters across the country.
"What we’re doing for diabetes Canada, is just a drop in the bucket. The real struggle is of the kids who actually are fighting with diabetes every day. People who have been affected with this dreaded disease," said Singh.
One of those children struggling is Bronwyn Kerr, 13, who was diagnosed with Diabetes at just four years old.
"It was hard at first, getting used to having needles all the time and constantly worrying about how many carbohydrates are in everything," said Kerr.
Kerr says she is touched with the efforts the Sikh Motorcycle Club is putting in to help find a cure for her disease.
She hopes that cure will come soon.
"It would be awesome, I could eat a lot more candy," said Kerr.
Until then, the Sikh Motorcycle Club and Diabetes Canada continue to ask Canadians to help support their cause by donating to the foundation.
You can find out more information on ways to show support here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson Airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Russia reports downing 5 Ukrainian military balloons in Kyiv's latest apparent war innovation
Russian air defences downed what authorities described as five Ukrainian balloons overnight, the defence ministry in Moscow said Thursday, as the sides kept up long-range strikes that have featured heavily in what has largely become a war of attrition.
Frustrated farmers are rebelling against EU rules. The far right is stoking the flames
Mainstream political parties failed to act on European farmers' complaints for decades, one farmer says. Now the radical right is stepping in.