Josh Nelson

Help me prove that there is hope and there is life after cancer.

Countdown

Sep
21st

Wed

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Almost at The End of The Road
We just left Moncton and are shuttling to the starting point of the final day of this ride, Lower Sackville to Halifax. As we approach the end of Josh’s Journey across Canada, I sit here and reflect on how much life has changed for him and all of us around him over the past eight years.
Someone asked me last week if I ever imagined a year ago that he would be doing something like this. I replied that I could never have imagined this eight years ago when he was a sick, weak little boy fighting for his life. We had no idea where life would take him or how far. We had to take it day by day, treatment by treatment and celebrated every milestone, large or small. We lived for the day.
Just two days ago when I gasped at how close traffic was getting to the riders, another volunteer turned to me and very calmly told me not to worry. He told me that it wasn’t Josh’s day to go – his turn had come and gone and he survived. He told me that he’s a big believer in fate and knows Josh has a much greater purpose for being here with us today. I wish I could remember his exact words because they were so perfect and so beautiful.
Over the past 15 days, we’ve met children and families living with and beyond cancer. We’ve met families whose loss is too great to even imagine. We’ve heard story after story of children suffering. We’ve visited hospitals and communities caring for these children. We’ve hugged moms and dads who will never hug their child again and feel guilty in my own way for not knowing how that feels. My heart goes out to them more than they will ever know. If we have delivered hope to even just one family going through this senseless fight during Josh’s journey then it will have all been worth it.
Sadly, just over an hour ago, we received the news that my grandfather (nonno), Josh’s great-grandfather, passed away. I really wish I could be with my family home in Cambridge right now but I know my SNKCR family is here for us and showing their support. My nonno was very proud of Josh and all he’s accomplished and I know he would want Josh to finish what he started and he will be looking over Josh and Mark as they cross the finish line in Halifax tomorrow. Rest in peace nonno.

Almost at The End of The Road

We just left Moncton and are shuttling to the starting point of the final day of this ride, Lower Sackville to Halifax. As we approach the end of Josh’s Journey across Canada, I sit here and reflect on how much life has changed for him and all of us around him over the past eight years.

Someone asked me last week if I ever imagined a year ago that he would be doing something like this. I replied that I could never have imagined this eight years ago when he was a sick, weak little boy fighting for his life. We had no idea where life would take him or how far. We had to take it day by day, treatment by treatment and celebrated every milestone, large or small. We lived for the day.

Just two days ago when I gasped at how close traffic was getting to the riders, another volunteer turned to me and very calmly told me not to worry. He told me that it wasn’t Josh’s day to go – his turn had come and gone and he survived. He told me that he’s a big believer in fate and knows Josh has a much greater purpose for being here with us today. I wish I could remember his exact words because they were so perfect and so beautiful.

Over the past 15 days, we’ve met children and families living with and beyond cancer. We’ve met families whose loss is too great to even imagine. We’ve heard story after story of children suffering. We’ve visited hospitals and communities caring for these children. We’ve hugged moms and dads who will never hug their child again and feel guilty in my own way for not knowing how that feels. My heart goes out to them more than they will ever know. If we have delivered hope to even just one family going through this senseless fight during Josh’s journey then it will have all been worth it.

Sadly, just over an hour ago, we received the news that my grandfather (nonno), Josh’s great-grandfather, passed away. I really wish I could be with my family home in Cambridge right now but I know my SNKCR family is here for us and showing their support. My nonno was very proud of Josh and all he’s accomplished and I know he would want Josh to finish what he started and he will be looking over Josh and Mark as they cross the finish line in Halifax tomorrow. Rest in peace nonno.

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Josh's CBC PEI radio interview (audio clip)

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Warm welcome on a chilly night in Fredericton!

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Fredericton gives us the best SNKCR welcome yet! (by Rina Nelson)

The long shuttle in to Fredericton last night was draining but boy did we perk up fast when we rounded the dark corner of the Sears store at 11:00pm to the lights and sirens of both the local Fire and Police departments. Sears employees and families lit the dark night with candles and braved the chilly air for a welcome pajama party when we arrived. Amazing! As Josh came off the RV and walked towards the crowd, I overheard a few say, “you must be Josh – I’ve been following you.” This is always great to hear.

They had pizza ready for us in the store and kept the doors open all night in case we needed to warm up or use the bathrooms. This morning the welcomed us with smiles and breakfast at 5:30am and then cheered the team on as they rode off…into the sunrise. East coast people rock!

While the team rode off, Josh and Drew were busy doing a live CBC Radio interview. Yesterday we received this message from our contact at CBC. “Please keep trying to call in because we really want to do this interview. My 14 year old son was just diagnosed today with a malignant tumour in the soft tissue of his hand and we start chemo tomorrow. So hearing Josh’s story gives me hope at a very hopeless moment.” This is why we are all doing what we do.

Josh was asked why he was doing the ride. “I have to tell my story. I’m doing it because I feel I have a duty to spread hope and awareness so other kids don’t have to go through what I went through.” Drew was asked why we do it as parents. “We have to let him follow his dream so he can make a difference in the world.” When asked what advice we’d give other parents, Drew said, “Be honest with your kids, let them know what’s going on. Don’t forget to laugh and have fun. Live for each day and don’t look too far into the future.” I’m so proud of my boys right now!

Today the team is headed from Fredericton to Lower Sackville on their second last ride together. It’s 9:15am and they’ve had their first rest stop already. The air is still a bit chilly but the sun is shining and promises to warm up to 21 degrees today. The route along the water is beautiful and the leaves are changing fast. Unfortunately, we’re moving too fast to take any decent pictures but I hope to get some by day’s end. I’ll have to bribe Dan, our RV driver to stop for me – if you know Dan, it won’t take much bribery…I’ll just bat my eyelashes! J

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Sep
20th

Tue

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Josh at the St. Lawrence River

Josh at the St. Lawrence River

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Josh keeping warm “sandwiched” between Robin and Christine!! Lucky boy!! :)

Josh keeping warm “sandwiched” between Robin and Christine!! Lucky boy!! :)

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All bundled up and ready to ride in the rain.

All bundled up and ready to ride in the rain.

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Day 14 - Drizzly, Damp and Dirty!
The route along the St. Lawrence is beautiful but it would have been much nicer if the sun was shining. However, we can’t really complain because this is the first rainy day we’ve had since we left Vancouver. The riders set off from Levis, Quebec early this morning, en route to Fredericton. The backsplash from the road is dirty and gritty and hitting their faces, leaving raccoon eyes behind when they take off their glasses! Josh rode about 70km this morning, came off the bike for a bit and got back in the saddle after lunch. He’s riding with Roger today and giving Mark a break off the bike to rest his knee up so they can finish hard into Halifax together in just 2 days. We can’t believe it’s almost over! What an adventure this has been. What amazing people we’ve met. What an amazing cause! We’re looking forward to spending a few extra days in Halifax and just relaxing before we head home and back to our regular routine again. I can only imagine that we will all experience some kind of SNKCR withdrawal over the next few weeks. These people, riders and volunteers alike, have become our extended family and have helped us to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Day 14 - Drizzly, Damp and Dirty!

The route along the St. Lawrence is beautiful but it would have been much nicer if the sun was shining. However, we can’t really complain because this is the first rainy day we’ve had since we left Vancouver. The riders set off from Levis, Quebec early this morning, en route to Fredericton. The backsplash from the road is dirty and gritty and hitting their faces, leaving raccoon eyes behind when they take off their glasses! Josh rode about 70km this morning, came off the bike for a bit and got back in the saddle after lunch. He’s riding with Roger today and giving Mark a break off the bike to rest his knee up so they can finish hard into Halifax together in just 2 days. We can’t believe it’s almost over! What an adventure this has been. What amazing people we’ve met. What an amazing cause! We’re looking forward to spending a few extra days in Halifax and just relaxing before we head home and back to our regular routine again. I can only imagine that we will all experience some kind of SNKCR withdrawal over the next few weeks. These people, riders and volunteers alike, have become our extended family and have helped us to make memories that will last a lifetime.

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Both teams visited wth Louis Garneau at his headquarters. Josh posed with Louis’ first bike and everyone had an opportunity to shop for some new gear at the Garneau outlet. The hilight was actually riding along the streets of Quebec City with him. He was very gracious and took the time to chat with the National Riders along the way.

For those of you who don’t know who he is:

Louis Garneau, (born August 9, 1958, Quebec City, Quebec) is a Canadian road racing and track cyclist and cyclewear manufacturer. He is probably best known for putting his arm around Elizabeth II (breaking royal protocol) and having his photo taken.

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Josh stretching between rides.

Josh stretching between rides.

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heatherjager:

glenway:

Teamwork.

That’s M. Louis Garneau himself (in yellow) helping push the tandem over the crest of a 13% grade. A proud moment for all the National Riders.

glenway:

Teamwork.

That’s M. Louis Garneau himself (in yellow) helping push the tandem over the crest of a 13% grade. A proud moment for all the National Riders.

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Sep
18th

Sun

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Survivors of a different kind, both paying it forward
By now you all know Josh’s story and you know how important it is to him to complete this journey. He’s doing it for himself but more importantly, he’s doing it so that no other child will have to go through what he’s gone through.
And although Ron’s survivor story is a little different, his reason for riding is the same. Ron is a 911 survivor and over the past 10 years he has given his time to helping others, especially children with cancer. For the past few days, I have heard Ron say “every day is a blessing”. It was a blessing for us to meet you too!
Read Ron’s story - http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1051708—survivors-of-9-11-have-found-new-purpose-but-the-scars-remain

Survivors of a different kind, both paying it forward

By now you all know Josh’s story and you know how important it is to him to complete this journey. He’s doing it for himself but more importantly, he’s doing it so that no other child will have to go through what he’s gone through.

And although Ron’s survivor story is a little different, his reason for riding is the same. Ron is a 911 survivor and over the past 10 years he has given his time to helping others, especially children with cancer. For the past few days, I have heard Ron say “every day is a blessing”. It was a blessing for us to meet you too!

Read Ron’s story - http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1051708—survivors-of-9-11-have-found-new-purpose-but-the-scars-remain

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Josh with Ben Pace. Ben lost his brother Alex to cancer two years ago. A year after Alex’s death Ben wrote a short story called My Experience with Alex. Please read his story - http://www.insidehalton.com/community/life/article/997074—a-young-boy-remembers-his-older-brother

Josh with Ben Pace. Ben lost his brother Alex to cancer two years ago. A year after Alex’s death Ben wrote a short story called My Experience with Alex. Please read his story - http://www.insidehalton.com/community/life/article/997074—a-young-boy-remembers-his-older-brother

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Josh and Emilie, his massage therapist. The team loves Emilie after a long day on the road.

Josh and Emilie, his massage therapist. The team loves Emilie after a long day on the road.

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Ulana reflecting in front of Marisa’s story board. Marisa was a Coast To Coast Ambassador and passed away last year.

Ulana reflecting in front of Marisa’s story board. Marisa was a Coast To Coast Ambassador and passed away last year.

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