A group of women in Saskatchewan are sledding for a cause. Prairie Women on Snowmobiles (PWOS) was incorporated in 2000, with its first Mission Ride taking place in 2001. It was organized by a breast cancer survivor from Regina Beach and her friend from Fort Qu'Appelle. Since then, this group of women has raised over $2 million to find the cure for breast cancer.
The non-profit organization holds annual mission rides and provincial awareness events to focus attention on breast cancer and snowmobiling, as well as raise much-needed funds for breast cancer research.
Prairie Women On Snowmobiles has contributed 100 per cent of the funds raised in the past 13 mission rides to the Canadian Cancer Society, and all the money raised stays right in the province of Saskatchewan. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women.
Coming up is the 14th annual Mission Ride, which will take place from January 30 to February 7, 2014.
President of PWOS Carol Lueken said Mission Ride take a group of snowmobilers through approximately 32 communities in eight days and they ride a little over 1,800 kilometres. They have coffee, lunch and evening stops planned throughout their route.
"We are very excited about our 14th annual mission," said Lueken. "This year there will be 16 members on our team, with 10 core riders, alternate riders as well as the pit crew and support crew."
Best moments
Lueken said each year's ride is packed full of memorable moments, but the deep snow last year made that ride exceptional.
"We had so much deep snow, the ladies really gave the pit crew a workout across the whole province," said Lueken. "We were able to sled all eight days in beautiful snow conditions. We are hoping that will happen again this year."
The Mission Ride really brings women together from across the province.
"The teams are amazing," Lueken said. "We come together really not knowing anyone and leave the ride feeling like a united family. You're all out there working hard for the cause and working for a cure for breast cancer. It's pretty amazing."
Lueken said Prairie Women on Snowmobiles is incredibly proud of the corporate sponsorship it has behind it.
"Without the corporate sponsors behind us and the members and public in front of us, we could not do what we do on an annual basis," she said. "We are very grateful because otherwise the ride wouldn't be possible."
For a look at the route the women will take to support this great cause, visit their website.
