Trekking for transplants plans in place

Pedal power will push Kibby Evans and Daman Milsom on their long-distance journey.

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Kibby Evans and Daman Milsom are going to great lengths — the length of the entire country, in fact — to raise funds and awareness for the Transplant Research Foundation of B.C.

Evans 24, was Cowichan Secondary School’s Athlete of the Year in 2005 and Milsom, also 24, who’s from Kelowna, formerly played hockey in the valley with the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

They’re teaming up to make a bike trek across Canada, departing May 31 from Cape Spear, Newfoundland and ending — if everything goes according to plan and on schedule — Sept. 15 in Victoria.

Cycling will be a bit of a departure for both of them.

“It’s quite out of the blue,’’ said Evans. “I definitely was more into soccer and rugby throughout and he’s obviously been into hockey.’’

A couple of circumstances started the two athletes thinking about such a lofty goal. The state of Kibby’s dad Barry’s health was the main motivating factor.

“My dad got put on the active transplant list in March after he was diagnosed with liver cancer,’’ said Evans.

At the beginning of December, Barry, who turns 60 in May, received a transplant.

“He was very, very sick,’’ said Kibby Evans. “I’m not sure he’d be here today if it wasn’t for the transplant.

“It’s definitely a process, the recovery. They still have to live in Vancouver, approximately three months, because there’s so many doctor’s appointments.’’

Attending the wedding of another former Capital, Craig Parkinson, and Kaili Smith really got Evans and Milsom into a serious planning mode to make more organ donors come forward and create awareness about transplants.

“Initially we talked about how amazing it would be to do something like biking across Canada,’’ noted Milsom.

“We both thought that if we were to do such a thing, we would have to raise money/awareness for a cause. After hearing about Kibby’s father’s battle with liver issues, we both agreed to raising funds for research and raising awareness for organ transplantation.’’

The goal is to raise $50,000 for the Transplant Research Foundation and encourage 10,000 Canadians to become registered organ donors.

The pair has set up a Facebook page and a website at www.trekking4transplants.ca where people can make donations and find out much more information.

Evans said they welcome hearing from others, “if anyone is willing to share their story and to help people going through similar things.’’

The trek is drawing near and Evans and Milsom have to start thinking about getting prepared.

“I honestly haven’t been able to put many hours on the bike training right now as I am still spending a lot of time at the rink,’’ noted Milsom, who’s now playing U.S. college hockey at St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota.

“Hockey has been keeping me in decent shape so far but once our season ends, I’m going to have to hit the bike and get used to long hours on the saddle.

“We have never done anything like this before so we’re just going to take it one kilometre at a time and enjoy the ride. I’m excited for the challenge.’’

A fundraising dance on New Year’s Eve at the Eagles Hall started the campaign rolling, raising a little more than $10,000 from a turnout of 300 people. Another one is planned for May 26 before the pair departs.

“We’re hoping for 300 for the next one as well,’’ said Evans.