Bikers crowded Ottawa streets Saturday morning, honking their horns and revving their engines as part of the 15th annual Ride for Dad fundraiser.
More than 1,300 bikes took part in the ride from the Aviation and Space Museum to the Rideau Carleton Racetrack. The charity event raised nearly $300,000 for prostate cancer research and awareness campaigns.
"It's not a good thing to come down with, but when you have guys like this out here it seems like it is a manageable thing," said Charles Graham, a prostate cancer survivor.
Graham was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago, before his 50th birthday. He said this event gives people with prostate cancer hope and helps raise awareness about early detection.
According to Prostate Cancer Canada, one in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.
Ride for Dad has raised nearly $17 million for prostate cancer research since it was started in 2000.
"We get calls all the time from guys who went and got their prostate checked because of the message spread out by our people," said Byron Smith, a co-founder of the event.
"They tell us thanks for saving our life."
What began as a small bike ride with about 80 bikes has morphed into a highly successful fundraising event, with rides now in 49 Canadian cities. Snowmobile and ATV Rides for Dad have also been launched in recent years.
