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A mother\u2019s recollection<\/strong><\/p>\n Webb was diagnosed with Burkitt\u2019s lymphoma at the tender age of three years old. Previous to his diagnosis, there wasn\u2019t much evidence that his health was at risk.<\/p>\n \u201cMatt had a little baby belly that started getting bigger and bigger,\u201d says his mom, Sue Webb. \u201cWe realized there was something really wrong when he wouldn\u2019t pee because it was too painful.\u201d<\/p>\n Webb immediately took her son to a clinic, where she was told it was uncommon for males to have bladder infections; still, her son was diagnosed with just that. Webb decided to get a second opinion from her family doctor, who sent them to the emergency room right away.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter a liver biopsy it was confirmed that Matt had cancer,\u201d says Sue. \u201cThe next day we arrived at Vancouver Children\u2019s Hospital and the day after we were planning his chemotherapy because this type of cancer doubles quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n The chemotherapy Matt went through was harsh on his young body and actually started to harm him more than the cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cIt got so bad that they had to finish the chemotherapy treatments earlier than planned, but thankfully Matt had gone through enough chemo to cure him of his cancer,\u201d says Sue.<\/p>\n Matt was at Vancouver Children\u2019s Hospital for seven months going through surgery and chemotherapy, then in and out again for a year and a half to boost his immune system after dealing with the aftermath of the cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring Matt\u2019s seven months at the hospital there were 16 beds in his ward, and within that time nine of those children had passed away. I consider our case a lucky one,\u201d says Sue.<\/p>\n A son\u2019s journey<\/strong><\/p>\n Matt was so young and sick during his stay at the hospital that he doesn\u2019t remember much of his time there.<\/p>\n \u201cEven though I don\u2019t remember much about my battle, I am still so thankful because childhood cancer rarely advertises itself and is usually stumbled upon during routine checkups, in most cases,\u201d says Matt.<\/p>\n Webb recalls flashing images of his time in the hospital, but nothing too significant; he says most of his vivid memories started when he first went to Camp Goodtimes at the age of six.<\/p>\n \u201cI was at the first Tour de Rock Finale at what was then Eaton Centre in 1998,\u201d he says. \u201cWhile the cops were doing their head shave I decided I would shave my head with them in an attempt to raise money to send us kids to camp too.\u201d<\/p>\n Webb loved Scooby-Doo; seeing a counsellor wearing a Scooby-Doo hat made him realize he would have a great time at camp.<\/p>\n \u201cCamp Goodtimes really helped me with my self confidence. Before I went to Camp Goodtimes I wouldn\u2019t take my shirt off when I went swimming. Seeing all of the other kids with their scars as well made me feel more comfortable to not wear my shirt,\u201d he explains. \u201cOne of the first things I told my mom after that week at camp was that I didn\u2019t have to wear a shirt at the beach anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Since that first year, Webb has gone to Camp Goodtimes every year, spending most years as a camper and these past three years as a junior counsellor.<\/p>\n \u201cCamp is amazing, quite like any other summer camp with lots of outdoor activities like rock climbing and water sports, but it also has the ability to bring cancer patients and survivors close together,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Matt explains that there\u2019s a \u201cpass the bear\u201d time at Camp Goodtimes where they pass around a teddy bear and talk about all the struggles and experiences that they have gone through, and in some cases are still going through, with cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cThe \u2018pass the bear\u2019 times are usually pretty emotional, but it\u2019s great that we can really support each other through that and speak about what we\u2019re going through in a safe and understanding environment,\u201d he says. \u201cI always say Camp Goodtimes is the best place on Earth with the worst admission fee.\u201d<\/p>\n Journey to Tour de Rock<\/strong><\/p>\n After 14 years of Tour de Rock\u2019s existence, with the Webb family there sending the riders off and welcoming them back every year, this will be their year to send off Matt.<\/p>\n \u201cI cry every year at the send-off, so this year with Matt riding I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll be a basket case,\u201d says Sue Webb. \u201cReally, I\u2019m thrilled for Matt. Tour de Rock has helped direct him in his life. Being surrounded by all these influential people who are all doing something for the greater good has been great.\u201d<\/p>\n CTV Vancouver Island reporter Erin Glazier will also be riding on the 2012 Tour de Rock team. Glazier has lost a loved one to cancer and holds the cause close to her heart.<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing children with pediatric cancer is emotional because they have to go through so much pain during their time in the hospital and can\u2019t really focus on just being a kid,\u201d says Glazier. \u201cThe big reward is giving these children some time to just enjoy themselves and just be kids.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a tough journey for the team while training for the ride. The participants will clock 80\u0110120 kilometres per day and have been doing extensive training to get in shape for the ride.<\/p>\n \u201cUs riders go through a lot of physical exertion each day we ride,\u201d says Glazier, \u201cbut it doesn\u2019t compare to what these children have to go through each day they are in the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n Matt Webb is excited to ride the island and really looks forward to visiting all of the different communities along the way.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery year I see riders come back with different experiences, stories, and journeys,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m excited to give back what Tour de Rock has given to me, and be out there on the road making my own journey.\u201d<\/p>\n