Port Stanley’s Brian Lynch is cancer free and doing fine as the second annual Bottoni Ride to raise awareness for male breast cancer gets set to return to Elgin County this weekend.
Article content
“Personally, I am still cancer free after three years,” Lynch said in an interview. “I still take Tamoxifen daily, which is a breast cancer drug that I likely will be taking for the next two years or possibly longer.
“The side effects from this drug and the lingering effects of the grueling chemotherapy causes me a few medical issues that will be long term, but I am just grateful to still be cured.”
Co-founded with surgeon Dr. David Bottoni, the Bottoni Ride will again be hosted by London-based Rocky’s Harley-Davidson. Opening and closing ceremonies for the Saturday, Aug. 17, motorcycle cruise will be held at the dealership. Registration starts at 10 am, with a $40-per-bike entry fee. Rocky’s owner, Brian Jacobs, will greet riders at 11 am, followed by remarks from Elgin-Middlesex-London MP Karen Vecchio Vecchio, Bottoni and Lynch.
Article content
Bottoni has invited a group of people who no longer ride motorcycles to join the 1.5-hour tour of the countryside in vintage vehicles behind the motorcycles. Other members of the community are welcome to join in similar fashion, Lynch said.
Money raised will be donated to the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation’s MRI campaign.
“Our overriding goal, as always, is to raise awareness for male breast cancer in Canada and to support those men who are suffering with shame, stigma and silence from this disease,” Lynch said. “Men often struggle in silence when receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. The Bottoni Project is designed to end the stigma facing men with this diagnosis by bringing community and hope.”
In February 2024, a London Health Sciences Center media blitz drew attention to Lynch’s campaign, resulting in national media coverage and introducing him to four other male breast cancer survivors.
“None of us had ever seen or spoken to another survivor until they saw me in that interview,” Lynch said. “It was very emotional because until then, though we knew others existed, we were all alone in this journey.”
Joe Konecny is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with the Aylmer Express. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
Share this article in your social network