Stephen was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer when he was 13 years old. After undergoing intensive brain surgery and radiation, five rounds of chemotherapy and four stem cell transplants, Stephen was left with cerebral mutism, a side effect from the surgery that robbed him of all movement and speech. After years of physiotherapy and speech therapy, Stephen is now on the road to recovery. He traded in his wheelchair for a recumbent bicycle, which he calls a Bentley, and rode in the three-day cycling tour.

Stephen was joined by two other childhood cancer survivors, Taylor Wheatley (21), a KCCFA camper and active volunteer, and Adam Fedosoff (16) of Barrie, Ontario. Both Stephen’s and Adam’s fathers, Richard Radu and Jason Fedosoff joined their sons on the ride, bringing the total number of cyclists to 110. The cyclists pedalled between 100 and 224 kilometres per day through the Rocky Mountains. Those who chose the longest route cycled 512 kilometres over the course of the weekend.

Working with a trainer in the months leading up to the ride, Stephen planned to do the full ride, but wasn’t able. The 17-year-old from Lacombe, Alberta rode about 25 kilometres per day, which is an incredible feat, considering he was still using a walker last May.

Tour For Kids—Alberta is organized by the Ontario-based charity, Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation. The 2010 ride raised $280,000 and pledges are still coming in for KCCFA’s camp programs, bringing total ride revenue over four years to more than $878K.

For information on the 2011 Tour For Kids, click here or visit www.tourforkids.com

Tour for Kids is a community initiative hosted by the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation.