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12 Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: WILMA BLOKHUIS www.oakvillebeaver.com The temperatures may be rising, but the prices are dropping at By Consignment! Our Summer Line is bursting with all the hottest Designer Labels at a fraction of their department store prices. Entire Store Now 50% off. Come and see us... you'll never shop retail again! By Consignment Upscale, Resale Ladies Wear 115 Trafalgar Road, (1 block North of Lakeshore) (905) 338-3474 Open 7 Days a Week SUMMER BLOWOUT Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 250) Fax 905-337-5567 email blokhuis@haltonsearch.com · WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2006 Cyclist surpasses $50,000 goal $25,000 donation for neuroblastoma research puts David Visschedyk over top against cancer. When he was eight years old, Visschedyk lost is right leg to cancer. He was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, the same kind of He stands 6-ft-3, but appears taller. He weighs bone cancer that claimed the right leg ­ and even150 pounds but looks thinner. At first glance it tually the life ­ of his hero Terry Fox, who appears he's cycling with a bandaged knee. Upon embarked on his cross Canada cancer fundraiser closer examination, one notices he's wearing a 26 years ago. Visschedyk's treatment included nine prosthetic leg. months of chemotherapy and the amputation of Cancer survivor David Visschedyk, 27, is on the his leg. His doctors at Sick Kids performed the Van ride of his life. Ness procedure, where the middle section of his Born and raised in Oakville and having moved leg including his knee was removed, and his foot to Toronto about five years ago to attend law and thigh was reattached with the foot rotated at a school, Visschedyk is cycling across 180-degree angle thus allowing his Canada to raise funds for cancer "I chose to ride ankle to function as a knee. research. Shortly after his cancer treatment, for The James As of Saturday, where a reception Visschedyk, then temporarily confined Fund because it's was held for him at the Hospital for to a wheelchair, participated in the Sick Children, he had completed doing innovative, Olympic Torch Run to promote the 4,687 kilometres of his 6,960-kilome- exciting research Calgary Olympics. He carried the tre cross-Canada cycle and raised that is yielding torch for about one kilometre in about $70,000 for The James Fund for immediate and downtown Oakville. Neuroblastoma Research at Sick Wearing a prosthetic leg has not impressive Kids. deterred him from playing basketball Visschedyk's CanadaWide for results." and baseball. He's also developed a Cancer, a 57-day cycling odyssey ­ 50 keen interest in computers. days of cycling and seven rest days ­ David Visschedyk Above all, he became an avid is on schedule. He left Vancouver on cyclist. His other hero is seven-time July 1 and expects to arrive in Halifax on Aug. 26. Tour the France winner, and testicular cancer surUpon arriving in Toronto on Friday, he was vivor Lance Armstrong. handed a $25,000 donation ­ the largest gift so far Visschedyk did not allow cancer to stop him ­ surpassing his $50,000 goal. That donation came from realizing his dreams, and cycling across from the family of a three-year-old neuroblastoma Canada is one of them. patient. "We're proud of him," said his mother Carol "I chose to ride for The James Fund because it's Dalby, of Oakville. "I was glad to see how happy doing innovative, exciting research that is yielding and healthy he looked. I had no doubt he will sucimmediate and impressive results," said cessfully complete his ride. And, it's wonderful Visschedyk. The fund is named for eight-year old meet the people who helped make his dream come James Birrell, who lost his battle with neuroblas- true. I didn't know about The James Fund until toma in 2001. David started talking about this ride and it's amaz"The odds are stacked against kids with neu- ing to learn what they have accomplished. roblastoma and I wanted to do something to help "When David was sick, so many kids were dying increase their chances," he said. "One-hundred and we often wondered why we are to blessed to per cent of the money goes to research. This fund have David win against cancer, but now he's makhas a great ability to help kids. I've had great sup- ing a difference in other children's lives," continport." ued Dalby. "Maybe this ride is the reason." See Skin page 13 Visschedyk is on a personal mission in the war OAKVILLE LIVING EDITOR By Wilma Blokhuis WILMA BLOKHUIS / OAKVILLE BEAVER AVID CYCLIST: David Visschedyk, in Toronto Saturday, had already cycled 4,687 kilometres in his CanadaWide for Cancer and raised $70,000 for The James Fund. 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