Latest news with #EdJohner
CTV News
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad specialty licence plates now available
Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad spokesperson Ed Johner points at the latest specialty licence plate rolled out by MPI. Uploaded July 15, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg) Manitobans can now purchase a Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad specialty licence plate, with each sale supporting the fight against prostate cancer. Released by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) on Monday, the $70 licence plate is available at any Autopac agent—with $30 from each plate going to the Manitoba Prostate Cancer Support Group. 'We're really excited,' said Ed Johner, spokesperson for Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad, who purchased his specialty plates during the first possible hour. 'It's just another outlet for people who support us to be able to support us. Aside from pledging riders or just making a straightforward donation, I think it would be pretty cool to have one of these on the back of your vehicle.' Established in 2009, the organization has raised over $5.7 million for the fight against prostate cancer in the province—raising over $600,000 alone during the annual ride in May. Johner said the funds will help provide education, awareness and support to those impacted by prostate cancer in Manitoba. Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad The Ride for Dad specialty licence plate on July 15, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg) 'Physically, they may remove the disease from you, but mentally, it stays with you forever, and the support group does great work with men during their battle with prostate cancer and after,' he said. Johner, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007, said early detection is key with treatment of the disease. 'These [licences] are like little mini billboards that are going to be floating around all over the streets reminding men to go get checked for prostate cancer … It's just another way for us to get our message across.' He added that the specialty plate is not just for motorcycles, but for other vehicles as well. According to MPI, the new plate will be the 15th plate available to Manitobans under the specialty license plate program, which has raised over $5.5 million to date for Manitoba-based charities. 'It's something that affects us all—men, families. It doesn't matter,' said Johner. 'Prostate cancer affects everyone.' -With files from CTV's Scott Andersson
CBC
31-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Motorcyclists rev up their bikes in annual ride to raise funds for prostate cancer research
Hundreds of riders took to the streets of Winnipeg on Saturday for the annual Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad, hoping to beat last year's record for money raised toward prostate cancer research and awareness. The 17th annual event began at Polo Park shopping centre before heading west along Portage Avenue to Assiniboia Downs. Riders planned to continue through the communities of Selkirk and Gimli before returning to the finish line in Winnipeg. The event is part of a six-week campaign to spread awareness and education about prostate cancer in the province. Last year, teams raised a record-breaking $650,000 for cancer research. "It's simply amazing. It just blows me away. This ride has never ceased to amaze me," said spokesperson Ed Johner, who survived prostate cancer himself but lost his father and uncle to the disease. "The generosity of Manitobans and the hard work and the effort — like our entire executive, our volunteers, our pledged donors, the riders, you know, our corporate sponsors — it's incredible what we've accomplished." Johner was diagnosed with prostate and kidney cancer after a routine exam ahead of cataract surgery in 2007, when he was 49. He said he had no symptoms at the time, crediting the proactive check to a diligent physician. He's been cancer-free since surgery to remove his prostate and a third of his kidney. The ride organizer said he hears stories about early detection from other men throughout the ride, but on other days, too. "The ones that stick out the most are having perfect strangers walk up to me and shake my hand and thank me for saving their life. And I know what's happened to other guys on our executives, too. Those are the ones that stick with you," Johner told The Weekend Morning Show host Nadia Kidwai 'Emotional experience' "It's a very emotional experience to have this happen … early detection is so critical, just so critical." Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. The organization estimates one in eight Canadian men will develop the cancer at some point during their lifetime and that one in 30 will lose his life. Dr. Laurence Klotz, a urologic oncologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and chair of prostate cancer research at the Toronto hospital, said patients with metastatic prostate cancer — meaning it's spread to other parts of the body — live "roughly twice as long now as they did 10 or 15 years ago, which is really a significant achievement." "The disease can be controlled, often for a long time — but a cure is generally not in the cards," Klotz told Dr. Brian Goldman, host of the CBC podcast The Dose.
