Far From Alone for Lone
June 13, 2024
Every year more than 600 riders participate in the Capilano Volkswagen Cypress Challenge presented by Glotman Simpson Cycling to raise funds to advance pancreatic cancer research and care at BC Cancer. This July will mark Chris Armstrong’s third year making the climb — but the first since losing his wife, Lone, to the disease.
In an email sent to the many people who have been a part of his and Lone’s journey, Chris shared his reasons for continuing to ride in her honour:
“My wife, Lone, faced pancreatic cancer with the same courage and grace she carried herself with since I have known her. And that is a long time — we met as teenagers, and I loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her. Since then we have been up, down, and around the block together. We made a home and a life together. We raised two beautiful daughters together.
And our story is not over. I told Lone I would track her down when my time here is through. Eternity is a long time to look and I can be relentless as many of you know. Lone cannot escape my love so easily.
Until then, each year I will ride up Cypress Mountain in aid of Dr. Dan Renouf’s research to find more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer. Dan was our rock in the storm for almost two years. Our family has a lot of love for Dan Renouf. He is an exceptional oncologist, both in the clinic and the lab. Lone and I spoke of my continuing support of Dan’s research. I have pledged to do my best to do so.
I ride for the Lone Rangers and ask that you join me in supporting this very worthwhile cause in memory of the love of my life, Anne Lone Henrichsen.
Sign up for the Cypress Challenge and join Chris and the Lone Rangers — who in three years have raised an incredible $300,000 — to improve early detection and develop better treatments for people in B.C. facing pancreatic cancer.
