The Ride for Dad is a powerful example of a grassroots movement that has made a huge impact on public health. What began in 2000 as a one-day fundraiser has grown into a national-scale charity with a wide network of dedicated volunteers across Canada. The group’s goal is twofold: to save men’s lives by funding prostate cancer research and by raising awareness related to the importance of early detection.
In partnership with its charitable arm, the PCFF (Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation), the Ride for Dad has turned the passion of motorcycling into a life-saving force for change. The movement’s impact is clear in the numbers. In 2024 alone, over 5,800 riders and thousands of supporters mobilized across 26 cities, raising more than $2.4 million. To date, this movement has raised over $43 million against prostate cancer, with over $8 million going specifically to The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre. This powerful blend of community, camaraderie, and a life-saving purpose has established the Ride for Dad as a leader in men’s health advocacy.
From a Personal Loss to a National Cause
The roots of the ride for dad are deeply personal, providing a powerful emotional foundation for its nationwide success. In 2000, co-founder Garry Janz met a man named Charlie, who, despite appearing healthy, was suffering from prostate cancer. Charlie confided that if he had only known about the PSA blood test a year earlier, he would not be preparing for his own funeral. Not long after, Charlie passed away. This tragedy became the direct impetus for the organization’s mission. Janz soon discovered that 11 men in CA die from prostate cancer every day & that a simple PSA test could help detect the disease early.
This origin story is a crucial element of the organization’s identity. The movement was not born from a corporate strategy or a large-scale institutional initiative. Instead, its genesis was a deeply personal response to a preventable loss. This human-centric beginning is fundamental to its enduring appeal and its ability to mobilize thousands of participants annually. The emotional core of the mission—a commitment born from a desire to prevent others from experiencing a similar, needless tragedy—is the very force that propels the organization’s volunteers and supporters. The ride for dad is a testament to how an individual’s story can galvanize a national effort to save lives.
The Two-Wheeled Mission
The Ride for Dad’s mission is summed up in its motto: “Fight it early. Find it early. Treat it early. Live!” The organization is dedicated to saving men’s lives and improving the quality of life for those affected by prostate cancer. To do this, it has two main goals: funding innovative prostate cancer research and raising public awareness.
All proceeds generated are directed to the organization’s charitable branch, the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation (PCFF). The foundation is committed to ensuring that contributions raised within local communities are reinvested back into those areas, funding vital research projects and awareness programs. This approach fosters a tangible connection between community fundraising and measurable local impact.
A key aspect of the organization’s operational model is its decentralized, community-focused approach. The PCFF ensures that funds raised in local communities are utilized to benefit research and awareness initiatives in those same areas. This localized reinvestment creates a direct, visible link between the efforts of local riders and the tangible impact their donations have on their neighbors and communities.
A Milestone of Giving
Since its inception, the ride for dad has raised more than $43 million. The 2024 campaign alone attracted over 5,800 riders and thousands of supporters across 26 cities and two community fundraising events, successfully exceeding its targets and raising over $2.4 million. This consistent and large-scale participation underscores the event’s broad appeal and its efficacy as a fundraising vehicle.
The transparency in how the organization manages its funds is a cornerstone of its credibility. The Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation’s 2024 annual report provides a detailed breakdown of its financial activities, showcasing a clear dedication to its mission.
Category Amount (USD) Percentage
- Total Revenue $2,404,359
- Receipted donations $1,583,900 (~65%)
- Non-receipted donations $658,903 (25%)
- Total Expenses $2,302,638
- Charitable programs $642,745 (~20%)
- Gifts to other charities (grants) $838,314 (~35%)
- Fundraising $579,274 (~25%)
- Management and administration $242,305 (~10%)
This financial data reveals a sophisticated operational model that balances direct research funding and awareness campaigns with essential administrative and fundraising costs. While a slogan like “100% of proceeds go to fight prostate cancer” is a powerful marketing tool for building initial trust, the detailed financial report provides a complete picture, demonstrating that the vast majority of expenditures are on the core mission. This level of financial accountability is critical for reinforcing long-term donor confidence.
Investing in Breakthroughs and Awareness
The funds raised by the ride for dad are strategically allocated to drive innovation and education. In 2024, the PCFF awarded over $838,000 in grants to support groundbreaking research initiatives across Canada. The investments are spread across numerous reputable institutions, ensuring a broad impact.
Examples of research grant recipients in 2024 include:
- The Ottawa Hospital Foundation ($120,000 donation)
- The Governors of the University of Alberta ($170,000 donation)
- The Memorial University of Newfoundland ($20,000)
These grants directly fuel projects that are shaping the future of cancer care. One notable example is the SABR (Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy) trial, for which the ride for dad has been a major sponsor for the Canadian portion. This life-changing research has the potential to reduce the number of radiation treatments for specific types of prostate cancer from 39 to just 5, offering hope and a significantly improved quality of life for patients. The organization’s focus on innovative, patient-centric research, in combination with its awareness campaigns, demonstrates a holistic approach to tackling the disease.
The PSA Test: The Silent Hero
Recognizing this issue, the ride for dad has positioned the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test as the cornerstone of its awareness efforts. This simple blood test can help detect the disease before obvious symptoms occur. Research indicates that annual screening can reduce the chance of dying from the disease by around 30%. The organization’s motto, “Get the Test. Live the Rest!” reinforces this message.
The event’s model is particularly effective because it uses a shared passion—motorcycling—to create a trusted, peer-driven community where men can feel comfortable receiving a health message. This method of “prevention through participation” bypasses the reluctance that often accompanies traditional public health campaigns and delivers a vital message in an environment built on camaraderie and shared purpose.
Stories from the Saddle: The Proof in the Pavement
The true impact of the ride for dad is most powerfully demonstrated through the lives it has saved and changed. The personal testimonials of participants are not just emotional accounts; they are concrete evidence of the efficacy of the organization’s mission.
Ben Burghout’s story is a compelling example. Despite a normal physical exam, he requested a PSA test after seeing an awareness commercial. His doctor was skeptical, but the high test results led to a biopsy that confirmed cancer, and he is now a cancer-free survivor. Similarly, Trever Sparrow, a rider diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer at age 44, had no symptoms but was saved by an early PSA blood test. These stories underscore the life-saving power of early detection and the organization’s role in making that information accessible.
A Family Affair: The Riders’ Motivation
The motivations of the participants reveal the profound personal connections driving the movement. Riders join not just for a scenic tour but for a deeply meaningful cause. Jared Smith was inspired after a close family friend beat prostate cancer due to an early diagnosis, cementing his desire to support the charity. Amanda Williams combines her love of motorcycling with a desire to help the many men in her life, realizing that prostate cancer was not being widely discussed. Michael Anderson, the chair of the Ottawa chapter, rides in memory of his father who passed away from the disease, ensuring his father’s name “carries on” through the event. These personal stories illustrate how the ride for dad event transforms abstract goals into concrete human triumphs, fostering a powerful community that sustains the life-saving work.
A Ride for Dad Paving the Way to a Cure
The ride for dad is a powerful example of how a passionate, grassroots charity can make a profound and lasting impact on public health. With a proven track record of financial transparency and tangible results, the organization has become a vital force in the fight against prostate cancer. Its success lies in its dual-pronged approach: funding life-saving research while simultaneously raising critical awareness that leads to early detection and survival. The personal stories of triumph and loss underscore that the organization’s mission is not abstract—it directly affects real people, saving people lives and bringing communities together. The movement’s model is a perfect blend of community spirit and scientific purpose, and it will continue to pave the way to a future where prostate cancer is a manageable disease, not a death sentence.