While friends and family members were struggling and losing their battle with cancer, Rob Dyer decided to fulfill his dream of skating across the United States to Canada to promote cancer prevention and spread awareness. While his personal story is filled with emotional struggles and physical painful obstacles, Rob remained determined and motivated to make the cause – his lifelong dream – a reality.
Skating to Inform and Teach
Rob is the mastermind behind “Skate4Cancer”. The cause is a non-profit organization that specializes in creating awareness and educating young adults and children about cancer. The organization is based in Toronto, Ontario. The goal has not been to raise money, but rather to promote cancer prevention by educating individuals of all ages on healthy lifestyles and the simple choices that can prevent cancer.
The “Skate4Cancer” community is currently predominated by Canadian youth. Although the organization has done much in terms of educating young adults and children, Rob believes that establishing a headquarter for the organization would only be beneficial. By giving the children a positive environment to visit and learn will only give the young cancer patients the ease to share their stories in a place that feels like home. The space would create opportunities for children to talk, share, grieve and heal beside others who struggle with the disease, whether directly or indirectly.
While on the road, whether in Canada or the United States, “Skate4Cancer” has several education programs that are offered along the way. The most popular programs include the no-smoking program, the self-examination program and lastly, a program that focuses on the importance of using and reapplying sunscreen. These programs would be part of centrality that Rob one day hopes to create for the patients and supporters in need.
Short Term and Long Term Goals
The short term goals for “Skate4Cancer” include establishing more events, such as town hall meetings and gatherings, where discussions surrounding programs, recent news or advancements towards curing cancer, would be discussed. Guest speakers are also an option, which Rob hopes will become a reality. “Skate4Cancer” have previously toured with musical geniuses, icons in the entertainment industry or skateboarders, who have all helped and supported in promoting the cause’s ideas, values and programs.
A long term goal would be gaining a central place, where individuals can come, whether to grieve, share or learn about cancer. Rob emphasizes that this is not only for cancer patients, but also for those who have lost loved ones to the dangerous disease and for those who have not been directly affected by the disease, but wish to learn about prevention. Having a central location would only give access to more resources and the centrality would only be vital for the growth of the organization.
The “Skate4Cancer” phenomenon has had enormous growth, as a following has been spotted in Australia. The ideas, events, programs and communities that “Skate4Cancer” has already established has had a larger impact than just the local communities in Toronto. Rob is proud and happy about what has happened thus far, but wants to continue with his organization and the goal of spreading awareness. As he proudly claims, “we may not be able to raise enough money to change the world, but we can raise enough people to change the world”.
To learn more about Rob Dyer’s personal story, please read Rob Dyer – Skating for a Cure.
 |
 |
 |
