Calgary, AB – More than 380 motorcyclists rode through the streets of Calgary on June 18 to raise awareness of prostate cancer and early detection.  This was the fifth year that Diane Payne, a REALTOR® at Sutton Group – Canwest, participated in the Motorcycle Ride for Dad.  She collected $1,700 in pledges from generous clients, family and friends and helped to spread the word about a simple new blood test to detect prostate cancer.  It was her Father’s Day gift to her dad who fell victim to colon and prostate cancers and to all the men whose lives could be saved by early diagnosis.

“It’s so important that people get the information ahead of time—not after,” says Diane.  “It’s just like real estate—you want the information in advance.  Somebody telling you a key fact after you buy or sell is of no value.  Men wait too long to get tested for prostate cancer.  Now it’s a quick blood test so there’s no reason for anyone to die of this disease.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian males; one in seven men will develop the disease in his lifetime and, in 2010, approximately 4,300 Canadian men died of prostate cancer.

The 2011 Motorcycle Ride for Dad featured a ‘poker run’ through Calgary and into the surrounding countryside.  Riders collected a playing card at each of five stations and those with the best and worst hands won prizes.  To help raise additional funds, riders had the option of buying an extra card to improve their hand.  Entertainment was provided by comedian Daryl Makk and the band Prairie Heat.  A specially-equipped “Man Van” allowed participants and spectators to get a free prostate cancer blood test on the spot.

For Diane, other highlights were being part of this caring group and seeing bystanders’ reactions to the sight of so many bikes carrying Ride with Dad flags.  “It was just amazing to see the long line of bikes two-by-two and to know how many lives will be positively affected by this.”

Diane and her fellow riders, including her partner Bill Cormylo (pictured above left), raised more than $96,000 for prostate cancer awareness.  This year, the Calgary chapter collected more than any other across Canada.  In total, approximately 13,000 riders participated in events nationwide raising more than $1.9 million.

Sutton is a 100% Canadian-owned and operated company with more than 8,700 REALTORS® in over 200 offices nationwide.  To find out more about Sutton, visit www.sutton.com.  To learn more about Sutton Spirit, visit www.suttonspirit.com.

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Sutton Group Realty Services Ltd. Contact:

Gabriel Soh                    604-691-1610         stories@suttonspirit.com

Sutton Group – Canwest Contact:

Diane Payne                   403-208-7788         diane@dianepayne.com

Please click here to view the press release