Dozens of Calgarians didn’t let rain dampen their moods and took to the slick roads yesterday to raise awareness during Richard’s Ride for Asthma Research.
There’s no cure for asthma but there are ways to prevent asthmatic deaths, according to Vilma Dawson, who lost her 19-year-old son Richard to an asthma attack in 1994.
“The point of this is to let people know that asthma is not just a condition, it’s a disease, and people can die from it but it’s also preventable and manageable with the right medications and lifestyle,” Dawson said as riders took off from Mount Royal University.
“Richard always liked motorcycles but he didn’t live long enough to get to ride one, so we ride in his honour.”
Since Richard died, Dawson has pioneered for the cause and the Richard’s Ride for Asthma Research event has run every year since 1995, and motorcycle participant Marg Lang has rode every year.
“I love riding for any good cause and this is a good one,” she said.
