Drumheller was one stop on their Cross-Canada bike ride to raise awareness about San Filippo Syndrome, a genetic disease that affects one child in every 24,000 born in Canada.
Redfern, 50, and Roth, 56, started their ride June 16 in Stratford, first riding east to Halifax, flying to Vancouver, and they are now on their way home to Ontario.
Along the way, they are trying to raise awareness of San Filippo Syndrome and raise money for the San Filippo Children’s Research Foundation.
Roth lost a niece and nephew to the disease at the ages of 13 and 14.
“When Matthew and Karrin died a few years ago, I was devastated by their loss,” says Roth. “I wanted to do something to try to help. This ride is one way Julie and I can educate people about San Filippo Syndrome.”
Their ride is called the Coast to Coast for Elisa Ride, named for 16-year-old Elisa Linton of Toronto, who is battling the progressively degenerative disease which is caused by the lack of a specific enzyme necessary to break down sugars.
It usually first manifests itself when a child is three or four years old and kills them before they are twenty. Victims lose their ability to speak, have repressed immune systems, and suffer from physical deformities.
Redfern and Roth are covering anywhere from 50 to 150 kms per day in their journey, taking one day a week off.
So far, they’ve covered more than 3000 kms and have another 3000 to go until they reach home in September.
To follow their progress or make a donation, log on to their blog at
www.CycleForElisa.com.