Nipissing University Student Union

Selected Event

D&S: Rob Dyer
Skate for Cancer
Sep 22, 2010 7pm
Price: $2
Location: The Wall
Restrictions: W/D

By dictionary definition, Rob Dyer is a hero. The small, tattooed skater would probably laugh at this statement; shyly send his appreciations for the sentiment then move on to a different topic. But according to the Oxford English dictionary, Dyer is just that: “a person, typically a man, who is admired for their courage or outstanding achievements.” Most people familiar with Dyer are also familiar with his story. At 15 he thought of a plan to fight the cancer war by skateboarding across North America to raise money for Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital. His idea was seen as overtly ambitious and thus left alone for a while. But two years later Dyer’s mother was losing her battle to cancer and Dyer’s dream was rekindled. This time it was met with much support and he was able to organize a team of volunteers and fundraising to aid him on his 8000km trek across North America. Four months before he left, his mother, both of his grandmothers and a close friend all died of cancer. As tragic as it was, it reaffirmed for Dyer why he had to do this and skate4cancer was officially born. Since then, Dyer and his team have successfully completed several skates, having recently begun one across the United States as part of the Vans Warped Tour. “We’re not going to raise millions of dollars targeting kids, because they don’t have money. But they do have a mind and they do have a heart and those both are going to grow as they grow, and hopefully by giving them this at a young age, by the time they get older they’ll be able to do something about it when they’re in a position of power,” Dyer said. Don't miss out on the chance to hear this man's story and meet him in person and find out how you can help battle this horrible disease.