Eddy Merckx and his son Axel Merckx appeared at the Wedgewood Hotel in Vancouver, Canada today to help raise money for cancer. The pair were the main drawcards at a fundraising banquet for cycling fans benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation in support of cancer research in British Columbia.
Eddy's reasons for appearing at the fundraiser were personal. "Cancer has affected my son's mother-in-law, my friends and my fellow riders in the cycling community," he said. "I am happy that my first visit to Vancouver is to support cancer research through the BC Cancer Foundation. I hope it can make a difference."
Wedgewood Hotel general manager Philip Meyer is an avid cycling competitor, the founder and captain of the Wedgewood Cycling Team and a huge fan of Eddy and Axel Merckx. Like American cycling champion Lance Armstrong, Meyer is also a testicular cancer survivor and has designated all the funds Team Wedgewood raises from its races and special events to go to the BC Cancer Foundation.
"Eddy and Axel have been so generous in giving their time and energy to support our Evening of Champions for the BC Cancer Foundation," he said. "My own personal experience with cancer and my love of cycling made this event a natural. I'm extremely grateful to Eddy and Axel and to Axel's mother-in-law Colleen Cross, who was the one who really got this going."
Axel Merckx's mother-in-law Colleen Cross is a breast cancer survivor who lives in Kelowna, B.C. "I received such wonderful care from the BC Cancer Agency," she said. "I strongly believe that working together we can make a difference, and I wanted to help other breast cancer patients in Kelowna and B.C. So I asked Axel to help out. How could he say no to his mother-in-law? He spoke to Eddy and now here we are."
Team Wedgewood plans to hold an annual Evening of Champions for the BC Cancer Foundation. To contribute to this year's event or for information about next year's plans, contact the BC Cancer Foundation at: 604-707-5904.
