The Telegram - March 1st 2008

The Telegram (St. John's)
Provincial, Saturday, March 1, 2008, p. A4
Health/Fundraiser
Cross-country bike ride for cancer
Grandson of former Newfoundland premier Frank Moores looking for inspiring
stories

Danette Dooley
Special to The Telegram

The grandson of the province's second premier - the late Frank Moores - is
looking for inspiring stories of "typical Canadians" that he and his four
teammates will read at various stops during their cross-country bike ride
for cancer this summer.

When asked during a recent telephone interview for a definition of a
"typical Canadian," Kyle Braatz quotes from information he has posted on a
website promoting the initiative (www.typicallycanadian.com).

"A typical Canadian is not defined by background, birthplace, culture, age
or interests. Rather is a person whose determination, willpower, courage and
compassion have seen them through when faced with adversity such as cancer."

Every week, Braatz says, more than 3,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with
cancer. Over 1,300 of these people will die from the disease.

The Typically Canadian Tribute Tour honours such people, he says, including
his grandfather.

Moores was diagnosed with liver cancer 18 months before he passed away on
July 10, 2005.

"He lived about an hour-and-a-half from me. I was going to school at the
University of Ottawa," Braatz says.

"When he was diagnosed with cancer I started spending every weekend with
him. And we became best friends," the 23-year-old adds.

It was during those visits, Braatz says, that he and his grandfather began
to realize just how much they had in common.

"The fishing and the hunting were such a huge part of his life and it's also
a huge part of my life," he says.

Braatz describes his granddad as "an amazing storyteller."

"He loved Newfoundland and I heard so many great stories about the people of
Newfoundland and him growing up there. He wouldn't have had it any other
way."

Firefighters have also come onboard with the cause. The tour will highlight
legislation relating to firefighter workplace cancers.

"The firefighters are very supportive and doing what they can to help us."

During the 8,200-kilometre tour which begins in Port Renfrew, B.C., on May 2
and ends in St. John's July 26, the riders will be promoting the "Yellow
Jersey Campaign." It's an initiative that highlights individuals and
organizations that make a difference in the fight against cancer, Braatz
says.

During the 72 stops along the way, the men will pay tribute to typical
Canadians who have faced cancer.

"We think all these stories are priceless, but we're hoping to raise about
$10,000 for each story which will give us $720,000," Braatz says.

Money raised in this province will go towards the Canadian Cancer Society's
Daffodil Place.

Anyone who has a story they'd like to submit to the Typically Canadian team
can do so by e-mailing story@typicallycanadian.com. Other inquiries can be
sent to info@typicallycanadian.com.

Illustration(s):

Kyle Braatz (far left), the grandson of former Newfoundland premier Frank
Moores, has organized a bike ride across Canada to raise money for cancer.
Braatz teammates are (from left) Steve Coleman, Andrew Hopkins, Taylor
Fantin and Alex Gray. - Submitted photo.

Category: News
Uniform subject(s): Diseases, therapy and prevention
Length: Medium, 416 words