Niagara Health Cancer Crushers team members have been gearing up for the Big Move Cancer Ride (from top left) Dr. Satish Chawla, Dr. Michael Levesque, Dr. Helen Caetano, Anthony DiCaita, Dr. Pamela Kapend, Dr. Saif Ullah.
A team of physicians and staff members, led by interim Chief of Staff Dr. Satish Chawla, will pedal with purpose this weekend as they join thousands of others raising money for the fight against cancer.
Their chosen path? The Niagara Health Cancer Crushers, a cycling team formed to participate in the 16th annual Big Move Cancer Ride fundraiser, a Niagara Health Foundation event aimed at raising money to support the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC). This year, over 400 riders are currently registered and have raised $237,000 and counting.
For Dr. Chawla, this cause is deeply personal. His wife Surabhi Chawla, a cancer survivor, was treated at Niagara Health. She is also one of his fellow Niagara Health Cancer Crushers teammates, who fundraised for cancer care even before receiving her diagnosis. She was riding in memory of her mother who was a breast cancer survivor who unfortunately passed away due to secondary cancer.
The comprehensive care provided to Surabhi left a lasting impression on Dr. Chawla.
“When she went to cancer services, she didn’t have to visit various centres for appointments or radiation treatments as it is all done locally at Niagara Health. They took very good care of her,” says Dr. Chawla.
“This event is a way to give back and ensure that others in our community have access to the same level of care.”
Dr. Satish Chawla and his wife Surabhi Chawla (left). Surabhi Chawla ringing the cancer-free bell at WFCC (right).
Team Roster
- Dr. Satish Chawla, Interim Chief of Staff + wife Surabhi Chawla
- Dr. Michael Levesque, Chief of Oncology, Medical Director of WFCC
- Dr. Helen Caetano, Chief of Surgery
- Dr. Pamela Kapend, Emergency Department Site Chief, South Niagara + family members Arjen, Lucas and Micah
- Dr. Saif Ullah, Physician, General Internal Medicine
- Anthony DiCaita, Interim Chief Financial Officer
- Michelle Rapattoni, Personal Support Worker
Team member Michelle Rapattoni in cycling gear with family.
With over $7 million raised since inception, fundraising events like the Big Move Cancer Ride can directly effect patient care outcomes by purchasing new equipment, expanding patient services and supporting cutting-edge cancer research via the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute.
According to Dr. Chawla, balancing their demanding careers with training for the event can be a challenge but is manageable, especially for such an important cause.
“It’s all about prioritizing and finding time,” he explains. “I’ve been getting up at 5:30 a.m. every morning to go for a bike ride. My goal is to reach 25 kilometres, but I also set realistic goals and work with the team to stay motivated.”
The team hopes their participation will have a ripple effect, not only within the organization but throughout the community.
“We also want to raise awareness about the cancer program and inspire others to get involved, whether by donating, volunteering or participating in events like this,” Dr. Chawla says. “Fundraising activities often come with an educational component, helping to spread knowledge about cancer prevention and early detection.”
Their involvement can also be a source of motivation for Walker Family Cancer Centre team members, showing that the community and their colleagues rally behind them to support the important work they do.
“Seeing our team and the community come together for this cause is a huge morale boost,” says Dr. Chawla. “It reinforces our dedication to patient care and helps to enhance the hospital’s reputation as a leading centre for cancer care.”
As Dr. Chawla and the team gears up for the event, they’re already looking ahead to the future.
“Our aim is to build one unified Niagara Health team and create more camaraderie within the organization. This is the first year for this team and we’re excited to see how we’ll grow from here.” he says.
Visit the Niagara Health Cancer Crusher’s team page here.
