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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 5, 2013 | 8 Cyclist takes on cross-Canada ride for kids' cancers by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff An Oakville cyclist is preparing to push her level of endurance to the limit to help children fighting a battle every bit as brutal. Today, (Thursday), Kelly Hawkins, 45, will join a relay team of 28 other riders who will make a 3,000-kilometre trek across Canada from Vancouver to Halifax in just 17 days as part of the Coast to Coast Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. The ride will raise funds for programs that improve the lives of children living with cancer as well as those recovering from the physical and emotional scars that can be part of survivorship. Hawkins said her desire to participate in the coast-to-coast bike ride stems from her experience with Tour for Kids, a similar provincial charity cycling event. "I don't have kids. I am very lucky not to have been personally affected by this (children's cancers) at all, but the passion and enthusiasm these people have is amazing," said Hawkins. "You just get so sucked into this group of people." Dedicated ride Hawkins has dedicated this ride to Jessica Dunn, a 14-year-old Toronto girl who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Hawkins said the teen lost her leg to the disease last year, but rather than sink into despair she spoke in front of her school about her experience and educated those present about her cancer. "It constantly amazes me how children and their families can maintain such a positive outlook, rarely retreating into moment's self-pity or resentment," said Hawkins on her blog. "These children are some of the happiest I have ever met and I feel inspired by their stories. Not only do they dream bigger and louder than anyone I've met, but they have a determination and positivity within them that shines through and inspires the people around them to strive for greatness." Hawkins has done plenty of training in preparation for this cross country journey. Almost every day she cycled from her home in Oakville to her place of work at the Bank of Montreal in downtown Toronto. The journey is about 40 km and takes an hour and a half. During the weekends she took long bike rides near her cottage, which is located north of Oakville. In total, Hawkins said, she has biked ap- proximately 500 km every week. While Hawkins is now a massive cycling enthusiast, she said, it wasn't always this way. Six years ago, she said, her husband Steve encouraged her to join his company's team for a four-day Tour for Kids event. As an avid runner, Hawkins said, cycling had never appealed to her before, but because the event was for a good cause she purchased a bicycle and never looked back, ultimately participating in six Tour for Kids events. A $1.5M goal The Coast to Coast Sears National Kids Cancer Ride has set a goal of raising $1.5 million. Hawkins has set a personal goal of raising $60,000 and said so far she has succeeded in raising $57,000 by soliciting donations from family, friends and colleagues and through her blog. "Unlike (other events), every single solitary penny raised goes to this charity. There is not one cent of administration cost. Every rider pays $3,000 to participate and we pay for our own flights and everything," said Hawkins. "We have 50 volunteers who have given up a month of work to come out and help." Hawkins expects the ride to come through Oakville at some point on Sunday, Sept. 15. For more information about Hawkins or to make a donation, visit her blog at http:// kellyhawkins.snkcr.com. Great cruises, incredible vacations! Â Ports of call on the River Royale: Ports of call on the River Countess: APRIL 13, 2014 8 DAYS $ 3,349 * MAY 11, 2014 8 DAYS $ 3,899 * CAA BONUS PLUS Man charged in road rage incident A 33-year-old Mississauga man has been charged in connection with a road rage incident, which occurred at a 2501 Hyde Park Gate shopping plaza last week. On Thursday , Aug. 29, police said, two motorists nearly crashed into each other at the intersection of Winston Park Drive and Bristol Circle. One driver continued on his way , while the second motorist allegedly followed the first to the plaza. Both men got out of their vehicles and got into an argument. Police said the confrontation ended with the first driver allegedly being punched in the face and knocked to the ground where the beating continued. When bystanders intervened the second driver left the area. 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