Two Canadian retirees have cycled across Canada to raise awareness of Huntington disease.
The two friends left from Vancouver on May 14 and cycled all but eight of the 72 days it took to cross the country. They’d be in the saddle by 8:30 most mornings and spend between four and six hours on the road. On a typical day they’d travel between 100 and 150 kilometres.
Denonville recently discovered that three of his nieces, all between 45 and 50 years old, had been diagnosed with the incurable disease.
“I don’t know know how my sister-in-law Sandy does it because it’s affected all three of her children,” Denonville said. “It’s very painful just to watch.”
The two cyclists have raised more than $30,000 to help find a cure for Huntington’s. But Stewart says the 7,200-kilometre journey was about more than just money.
“Money’s always important,” he said. “But we met so many people across Canada. We’ve helped raise awareness about Huntington’s.”