They signed up at the last BC Uncorked.
After all, Emma Stewart and Brandon Dreyer's lives had been touched by cancer, too.
The disease had struck Stewart's grandmother in her bones and had hit Dreyer's father in the form of non-hodgkin's lymphoma so when they heard about Taylor's tragic story, the Langley couple knew they had to get on board and make a difference.
Then, there was only a handful of riders on Team Taylor, a dedicated group of cyclists who were raising funds in tribute of Steve Parsons' late son. Parsons had lost his 17-year-old boy in 2003 from brain cancer and, over the past five years, had gathered cyclists for the annual Ride to Conquer Cancer.
But since last October, when BC Corked was staged in Port Moody, a total of 57 riders — including Stewart and Dreyer — have joined the crusader.
And in August, they'll make the two-day, 240-km journey from Cloverdale to Seattle and back for Taylor and others affected by cancer. "Our goal is 100 riders this year," Stewart said. "We want more because the need is so great."
This month, Team Taylor was invited to tour the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver to thank them for their efforts and to see where their fundraising money is spent. As Conquer riders, they not only have to train as a team once a week but they also have to commit $2,500 plus volunteer at events such as BC Uncorked.
Stewart said the agency visit opened their eyes. "They do incredibly inspiring work. We saw the lab. We talked to the doctors. We felt we really had to help fight cancer and to honour Taylor's memory."
Next week, the riders will be talking about the Ride to Conquer Cancer and raising cash at the seventh annual BC Uncorked: The Art of Food and Wine, in the Grand Hall of Heritage Woods secondary in Port Moody. They will be selling raffle tickets, hosting a silent auction and offering the chance to win a 12-person dinner by the Peake of Catering (valued at $1,700).
More than 50 B.C. wineries will be represented at the semi-annual event. Among those pouring on May 28 will be James Cambridge form Backyard Vineyards, Lesley D'Andrea from Noble Ridge, Bradley Cooper from Black Cloud & Serendipity, Steve Venables from Forbidden Fruit and Randy Toor from Desert Hills. Stewart said the evening is "like going on a wine tour without having to go into the valley. It's all in one place."
And the restaurant line-up includes treats from Hard Rock Casino, Orrange, Saint St. Grill and Earls.
BC Uncorked follows the inaugural Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival, held at Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club this past spring. More than $12,000 was brought in for the Ride to Conquer Cancer.
• Tickets to BC Uncorked: The Art of Food and Wine on May 28 are $60 by calling 604-463-1998 or visiting bcuncorked.com. Volunteers with Operation Red Nose will offer a lift for a donation while designated drivers can enjoy non-alcoholic beverages from Happy Water. The event is sponsored in part by The Tri-City News.
