The Prairie Women on Snowmobiles are scheduled to begin their six-day journey on January 30.
The trek will be kicked off on January 31 when the riders will start their journey in Prince Albert and travel to Birch Hills, Kinistino, Melfort and Naicam. Day two will take the riders to Archerwill, Kelvington, Invermay and Preeceville, where they will spend the night. The third day will have riders traveling to Norquay, Canora, Good Spirit Lake and Yorkton. On the fourth day, the riders will be in Ituna, Balcarres, Cupar and Fort Qu'Appelle. Day five will see the women in Indian Head, Wolseley, Montmarte and Kipling. The final day will see riders passing through Stoughton, Windthorst and ending the ride in Broadview on February 5.
Prairie Women On Snowmobiles is a non-profit organization whose annual missions are provincial awareness events that are designed to focus attention on breast cancer and the recreation of snowmobiling – as well as raising the much-needed funds for breast cancer research.
Mission 2015 raised a total of $142,930.60. In the last three years PWOS have contributed over $50,000 to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
Prairie Women On Snowmobiles have contributed 100 per cent of the funds raised in the past 15 missions to the Canadian Cancer Society, providing more than $2.3 million in support of breast cancer research.
The 10 core riders selected for the mission include two riders from Pelly.
Kelly Kim Rea, 45, lives in Pelly. She is a rural municipal administrator. She was raised in Canmore, Alta. and moved to Pelly 23 years ago.
“I love Saskatchewan and truly believe this is where I belong. I am honoured to be chosen to be part of the 2016 mission. This cause is very near to my heart, as I am a cancer survivor of 21 years and I am riding for my brother-in-law, Dennis, who is fighting his own battle now with breast cancer. His is an aggressive cancer with no cure as of yet. It is my dream to be part of finding that cure for Dennis and the many people who are fighting their battles as we speak. It can be beaten! Remember that age is a number and youth is a state of mind! Stay young my friends and may your lives be filled with joy and love," Rea said.
Holly Hudye lives on a farm between Norquay and Pelly with her husband, Dan and son, Justin.
"I was very honoured and excited to be chosen as a core rider for Mission 2016 because, like most people, cancer has directly affected my life,” Hudye said. “I am a cervical cancer survivor, lost my dad to throat cancer, and an aunt to stomach and rectal cancer. My nephew also lost his wife at a very young age, leaving two young children. I am a retired medical laboratory technologist and being a member of the health care profession, I have seen many people fall victim to this horrible disease.
“I have been snowmobiling since a very young age and have always had an absolute passion for the sport,” Hudye said. “As a family, we love the outdoors and when we aren’t at work, we love to snowmobile, quad, camp and fish. I am very honoured to be part of the Prairie Women on Snowmobiles because I now can combine a passion for what I love doing, and promote an excellent cause at the same time.
“There are more and more breast cancer survivors now then there were in the past, which clearly shows the great work these gals, and everyone involved with this organization, do. I ask that you support this great cause," she said.
The other core riders are: Stacey Kozak of Hudson Bay, Hazel Crossan of Rosthern, Kaitlain Jordan of Dysart, Karen Wyatt of Broadview, Lorraine Storey of Christopher Lake, Wendy Ferguson of Naicom, Lana Jordan of Cupar and Joan Phinney of Kindersley.
