In the fall of 2016, James Woron had a life-changing experience while at the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival.
The Maple Ridge resident noticed a booth for the Ride to Conquer Cancer — the signature charity for the fest — and spoke to its two reps.
One of them was Steve Parsons, who lost his 17-year-old son Taylor to brain cancer. Parsons was at the festival not only to help fundraise but to build awareness of his cycling group named in memory of his late boy. Touched by Parsons story and motivated to get fit — as well as honour his best friend, who lost her mom to breast cancer — Woron signed up on the spot as a rider for the August 2017 bike ride to Seattle.
Since then, Parsons said, Woron has recruited a couple of his friends to join the cause, which in turn helps the BC Cancer Agency save lives with its research.
It’s a common story, said Parsons, as word about Team Taylor spreads at the beer festival and its sister event, BC Uncorked — a wine and food tasting gathering, also happening this weekend at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club in Coquitlam.
Over the past three years — since the partnership with the festival organizers, West Coast Experiences, began — Team Taylor has signed up nearly a dozen new riders and collected some $75,000 through proceeds, auction items and donations.
That extra push from the festival has made Team Taylor one of the top Ride groups in the province: two years ago, it was the eighth biggest money-maker in B.C. with $155,000; last year, it came in 13th with a total of $105,000.
Now, its sights are set on meeting or beating that goal with its team of 30.
About 30% of its fundraising comes in from the Coquitlam beer and wine festivals and, this weekend, some 20 Team Taylor members will be at the three events: sharing their stories, talking about cancer and the August ride.
Parsons, a wine and beer vendor who used to supply the festival, said he’s looking forward to being in Coquitlam and, perhaps, adding to his roster.
“For some people, it’s a bucket list item and they do it once,” said the Nanaimo resident. “Some others come in saying they’re only going to do a ride and have stayed on. But most are riding for someone in their life who they’ve lost or have been through a hell of a fight.”
He added: “On the morning of the ride, I bring a felt pen and we write the names of the people we are riding for, on our bodies. That way, they’re always with us.”
• Tickets to the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival (Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at noon) and BC Uncorked Wine and Food Festival (Saturday at 7 p.m.) are available through coquitlambeeerfestival.com and bcuncorked.com.
