Gruelling ride beats battling cancer for 11-year survivor

By Mo Cranker on August 18, 2018.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

Weekends like this are pretty special for Fabian Huber.

The Medicine Hat cycling enthusiast has been cancer-free for the past 11 years,and says he always looks forward to events like the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

“The ride itself is going to be 240 kilometres total — I’m pretty excited to get going,” Fabian said about an hour before driving to Calgary. “The ride starts at Canada Olympic Drive and ends in Sundre. Then we come back Sunday night to Calgary.

“The minimum we have to raise is $2,500 to participate in the ride so there’s going to be a lot raised for cancer research this year.”

Years ago Huber was diagnosed with sarcoma in his right ankle, but as of July 20, 2007, he has been cancer free. He says events like the ride are not easy but always worth it.

“I didn’t start doing this type of thing until I was about a five-year survivor or so,” said Huber. “After I finished treatments I was looking for different ways to raise money for cancer research and eventually fell upon bikerides.

“They’re not easy, but they’re a lot of fun for me. My legs are always really tired after an event like this, but it’s so much fun and it all goes to a great cause that’s very close to my heart.

“Nowadays it’s almost impossible to meet someone who hasn’t been impacted by cancer in some way, so I want to keep doing events like this to help do my part.”

Huber says a number of Hatters will be taking part in the ride this weekend and they all plan to finish together.

“I know there’s a few of us from Medicine Hat taking part this year,” he said. “We didn’t sign up as a team or anything but we’re going to try and cross the finish line together if we can.”

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