John Luton wins medals in Canadian Transplant Games
Victoria’s John Luton has come away from the 10th Canadian Transplant Games in Ottawa with gold and silver medals from a pair of cycling events.
The former member of Victoria council and long-time cycling advocate underwent a liver transplant six years ago.
He was in desperate need of the transplant when a donor was found, and had surgery on Feb. 26, 2018.
Luton, 69, was among 120 participants in the Games, joining organ recipients, living organ donors, family members of deceased donors and other supporters. The age of competitors ranged from 10 to 76.
It was Luton’s first time competing at the biennial event, earning his gold medal in the 20-kilometre criterium race and his silver medal in the five-km time trial.
“It was hot and sticky in Ottawa, but a good time to get back and visit with family and friends,” said Luton. “I’m in debt to the donor family whose own tragedy gave me the gift of life, and I was inspired by the many other athletes gathered in the capital to show their best.”
Being at the Games gave him a chance to connect with people and hear their stories, he said.
Luton said he has put in about 40,000 kilometres on his bike since his transplant.
“I came back from the Games and went out and did the Tour de Victoria,” he said.
Luton completed the 100-kilometre route.
Canadian Transplant Association president and kidney-transplant recipient Brenda Brown also competed at the Games.
“It was incredibly moving to see our living organ donors and donor families alongside all these transplant recipients making the most out of their second chances at life,” she said. “We celebrate the gift of life through sport and honour donors who make it all possible.”
The Games serve as a way to showcase the importance of organ donation, the association said.
More than 4,000 people in Canada are currently waiting for transplants, and 10 people die every two weeks before a suitable organ can be found.
Only about 20 per cent of Canadians are registered as organ donors.
“The important thing to remember is you are far more likely to need an organ than be able to donate,” Brown said. “When you see what these recipients have been able to do with their second chances, it just affirms the importance of organ donation.”
In 2023, 3,428 organ transplants were performed in Canada, 83 per cent from deceased donors and 17 per cent from living donors.
To register as an organ donor in B.C., go to transplant.bc.ca.
Langford hosts summer Community Fun Day
The City of Langford is hosting its second Community Fun Day of the summer on Wednesday at Happy Valley Elementary School.
The free event runs from 2-7 p.m., and follows a similar gathering held in July to mark the launch of Langford’s public engagement strategy.
This time, city staff will be at a pop-up stall to discuss the ongoing Official Community Plan update, which is coming as projections indicate Langford’s population will grow to 100,000 in the next 10 to 15 years.
Attractions at the event will include an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, games, sports and crafts, and there will also be barbecued hot dogs (with vegan and gluten-free options).
An online survey on refreshing the OCP runs until Sept. 15.
“The voice of every Langford resident matters,” said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson. “Through engagement initiatives, we’re offering residents a direct say in how the city will evolve in the next few years.
“We want to hear the various ideas and aspirations from community members to plan for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient community together.”
The survey is available at letschatlangford.ca/ocp.
Tour de Rock riders hold fundraisers
With time ticking away until the start of the annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock ride, which starts Sept. 21 in Port Alice, members of the 17-person team of riders continue to organize fundraisers to support pediatric cancer research.
The ride, ready to roll for a 27th time in 2024, has raised more than $29 million for pediatric cancer research over the years.
• This Friday, husband-and-wife team members Sgt. Jereme Leslie and retired constable Dani Frohloff, both representing Saanich police, are having a 5-10 p.m. dinner and live auction at The Lakes restaurant — located at the Holiday Inn at 4670 Elk Lake Dr.
Tickets are $30, with only 40 available. Contact [email protected].
• West Shore RCMP, which has three riders taking part, is hosting a family barn dance Sept. 14 at the Juan de Fuca 55+ Activity Centre, 1767 Island Highway.
The detachment’s three riders this year are Reserve Const. Haydn Barrow, Reserve Const. Steve Foster and Const. Adam Foster. Doors open at 5 p.m, followed by a barbecue dinner from 5:30-6:45 p.m. and dancing to the music of Big Font at 7 p.m. A silent auction will also be held.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for youth, and are available at https://bit.ly/4csmMcc.
Grandmothers for Africa are riding their 18th tour
The Victoria Grandmothers for Africa 18th annual cycle tour is well underway, with 71 participants taking part in the four-week fundraising effort that is largely focused on bike trails around the capital region.
Known as the VG4A Cycle Tour, it runs from Aug. 11-Sept. 10, and is part of the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.
Money raised goes to community-led organizations that support grandmothers in Africa who are raising children after their parents died due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the continent.
During the first week of the ride, participants took on eight group rides from 25 to 90 kilometres long on local trails, as well as individual rides.
Each rider sets a personal goal for the distance they want to cover.
Thirty cyclists are registered to take part in the tour finale — a 275 km ride from Campbell River to Victoria Sept. 6-8.
One of them is Carol Crane, a long-time rider who suffered an injury in 2020 that left her without the use of her left arm.
“When I’m tired at the end of a ride and it’s tough to keep going, I think about the grandmothers in Africa and how tired they are, and they just have to keep going,” she said. “Carrying on, even with disabilities here, is more manageable than what grandmothers endure on Africa.”
Donate to the tour at vg4a.ca.
