A local couple will be riding up Cypress Mountain to raise funds in support of a cause close to their hearts — pancreatic cancer research.
“Both our families have been touched by the disease. My aunt died from it, Chelsea’s grandpa died from it. We have friends and other relatives who’ve been affected by it as well,” said Giovanni Martorella.
Chelsea, Giovanni’s wife, also had a pancreatic cancer scare in 2015 when she found a tumor in her pancreas. The experience inspired Giovanni to join BC Cancer Foundation’s Capilano Volkswagen Cypress Challenge the same year.
“It’s really important to raise funds for research because unfortunately, pancreatic cancer cells don’t respond to the traditional cancer therapy, so they don’t respond well to chemotherapy or radiation,” Chelsea told the Richmond News.
Pancreatic cancer diagnoses often come at later stages, she added, “which means people with a diagnosis, unfortunately, have very little hope of a good outcome from the disease.”
Giovanni will be embarking on his fifth Cypress Challenge on July 30, this time with Chelsea by his side.
“I’ve been wanting to do the ride for a few years, but never felt I actually might be able to do it because my fitness level wasn’t quite where we need to be to take on a climb like Cypress,” explained Chelsea, who added she’s suffered some injuries in her knee and hip.
But this year, after much training and with the support of local bike club Steveston Velo, Chelsea finally feels ready to take on the challenge.
“We were looking at the date for the challenge to plan what we were going to do this summer, and we noticed it was on my birthday,” said Chelsea.
It was just the sign she needed.
Giovanni, who has always enjoyed cycling, told the News he has been putting Chelsea through a “little training camp” in preparation for the challenge.
“The tips I gave her (are) just… find your own rhythm and just grind away so you get to the top, and just stay positive,” said Giovanni.
As the Martorellas gear up for their ride, they hope to spread awareness about the fundraiser, as well as the importance of supporting research for a treatment for pancreatic cancer.
“The challenge for us, riding up a mountain for 40 minutes or an hour or whatever it is, is nothing compared to what someone who’s going through a pancreatic cancer diagnosis is going through with their families and stuff,” said Giovanni.
To learn more about the Capilano Volkswagen Cypress Challenge and to support the Martorellas, click here.
