This Saturday, motorcyclists from across the province will gear up to ride in support of prostate cancer research.

Ed Johner, spokesperson for Motorcycle Ride for Dad in Manitoba, says this is the tenth year the ride has taken place, having started in 2009.

Each year, 30 cities across Canada do the same, raising funds for prostate cancer and education programs.

According to Johner, all money raised by the pledge ride stays here in Manitoba to support research and education services within the province. 

"It's estimated that 1.2 million men in Canada have prostate cancer, and 80 per cent doesn't know," Johner explained. It's crucial, he explains, to catch cases early on, as treatment for such cases has a 90 per cent success rate.

Johner is grateful to be one of that 90 per cent. In 2007, he was diagnosed with both kidney and prostate cancer.

"I was in for a physical... I had no symptoms whatsoever for prostate cancer and my PSA level was elevated considerably from my previous test," says Johner. "I had a biopsy done, and as a result of that biopsy, they also detected what they thought was a shadow on my bladder."

He was successfully treated for both, and Johner credits early diagnosis for his current health.

"Early detection is critical in curing these diseases," he says.

In 2009, the survivor was approached by his neighbour who'd heard about a ride started in Ottawa and wanted to do something similar in Manitoba to raise funding for prostate cancer.

"I was more than eager to help," Johner says.

487 riders raised $87,000 in 2009 during their inaugural ride. Last year 1,510 riders managed to collect over $355,000.

To date, the Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad has raised over $1.85 million, completely invested here in Manitoba.

"Every year the ride grows... it's extremely exciting for me," shares Johner. "You hear so often of research being done but you never do hear of the results."

Johner is also grateful to hear of so many men taking the initiative to check in with their doctors frequently.

"No one wants to find out that they have cancer, however, if you're going to find out about it, better to find out about it early," Johner says. "I talk to an awful lot of guys who are getting tested and in a lot of cases nothing happens, but every now and then there's that one fellow who tested positive, but who has been treated successfully, and that's extremely exciting for me to hear that."

Johner is encouraged to hear so many stories of survival beyond his own. "Not a day goes by where I don't think about it," he says, but the Motorcycle Ride for Dad is one way he's been able to come to understand and reflect upon his own journey.

"I would encourage all men, especially over the age of 40, to get a PSA test and a physical exam annually," Johner recommends. "For both cancers, I didn't have symptoms for either one, so I was very fortunate that both diseases were caught in the early stages and of course that made them a lot easier to treat this way as well."

The ride begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp on Saturday, kicking off with a police-escorted parade, westbound on Portage Avenue, and then out to the Assiniboia Downs. Riders will then head out to Selkirk and Gimli, returning to the city through Lockport and ending the ride in Windsor Park. The day will also feature a silent auction and several prizes.

The ride will take place this Saturday, May 26, with pre-registration happening May 24 and 25. To register or pledge a rider, you can check out the Ride for Dad website here.