A $30,000 donation from the Nipissing Chapter of the Motorcycle Ride for Dad organization will fund a one-year prostate cancer research study at the Regional Cancer Program at Sudbury Regional Hospital.

The study will determine whether small genetic variations have something to do with the development of adverse side effects in some prostate cancer patients who choose radiation therapy.

“Some men who undergo radiation therapy develop toxicity, and other side effects which really lessen their quality of life while they’re being treated,” Dr. Mike Conlon, an epidemiologist and one of the researchers on this study, said in a press release.

“We think there could be a genetic cause for this. We’ll use this study to try to find it, and determine which prostate cancer patients are best suited to radiation therapy. The goal is to make treatment for prostate cancer more effective and less stressful on the patient.”

“This new study is a great example of the kind of research hospital we aspire to be,” Dr. Denis Roy, the hospital's CEO, said. ” Research leads to better health care, and the more research we can do, as close to our patients as possible, the better the results.”

Motorcycle Ride For Dad is a non-profit group that holds motorcycle rallies every year across the country to raise money for prostate cancer research and education. In the last ten years, the organization has raised over $7 milllion. The Nipissing Chapter, based in North Bay, raised more than $25,000 on this year’s rally.

“As a prostate cancer survivor, I’m pleased to be a part of the Nipissing Motorcycle Ride for Dad,” Chopper Cameron, co-chair of the Nipissing Chapter of Motorcycle Ride for Dad, said.

“It’s great to see the pledges brought in by our local riders and supporters being used for prostate cancer research right here in the north.”