Nelson has an amazing group of people who are biking in the BC Cancer foundation epic “Ride to Conquer Cancer “on June 16 and 17. Two local teams are “Sister Power” and “Mountain Spirit Tri Club.” Here is one personal story....
Colleen Driscoll, captain of “Sister Power” discovered the meaning of loss at a very young age. The youngest of five children, she was only six-years-old when her mother passed away. Her sister Ann Marie, 14 at the time, was handing the role of raising the little ones. With such a bond forged early in their lives, the sisters remained close in decades to follow.
Driscoll moved to Nelson in 1980 and in 30 years of nursing, delivered hundreds of babies. Sister, Ann Marie, moved to Nelson and taught at Saint Josephs’ School before returning to New Brunswick.
Ann Marie was diagnosed with colon cancer on October 22, 2011. With her sisters by her side, she passed away on November 22. She was an amazing person who advocated for women’s issues, had three degrees, a devoted husband and family who loved her immensely. Cancer took her away quickly, meanly and dreadfully.
To celebrate her generous spirit and in hope to end the insidious disease that took her, Ann Marie’s sisters Colleen and Sharon will cycle over 200 km. in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer on June 16 and 17.
As a part of their team “Sister Power,” their sister Helene will support them by being on the “crew” along with Colleen’s husband Robin Cherbo. Both will cheer them on along the way from Vancouver to Seattle.
Their team has already exceeded the goal of raising over $14,000.