Making a difference, one pedal at a time

Third-year UVic psychology co-op student Sam Wade has always been passionate about helping others, but it was a combination of UVic courses that inspired him to take real action in the name of altruism. “I’ve always been fascinated with why people do what they do, but I wasn’t sure how to connect this to my schooling,” he says.

When Wade took a first-year psychology course from Dr. Martin Smith, he was so inspired by Smith’s enthusiasm for the topic that he decided to pursue a psychology major. This decision led Wade to take a course called Social Psychology, which introduced him to the concept of altruism in psychology. “I also took Human Wellness and Potential with Dr. Lara Lauzon, and she invited speakers to share their stories about making positive impacts on the world. I put it all together and decided that I could improve my own life by making other people’s lives better. Now I want to share this message of community with others.”

In 2007 Wade helped launch a group called Simple Acts of Charitable Kindness (SACK), dedicated to inspiring people to get involved in their community by participating in monthly charitable causes. He is also about to embark on a second project to raise money for prostate cancer by biking across Canada. Wade’s grandfather was diagnosed with the disease in the fall of 2008 and around that time Wade and three of his friends began joking about riding their bikes across Canada. They now make up the “Pedalers for Prostate” team and will embark on the 8,000 km trip across Canada in May 2010.

Wade has put his selfless attitude to work not only in his private life but also in his professional life. For his first co-op work term, Wade worked as outdoor pursuit programmer for the BC Lions Easter Seal Camp in Squamish, which gave him the opportunity to work with children with disabilities. It also gave him the chance to prepare for his next adventure—on weekends off from camp, Wade rode his bike from Squamish to Richmond and back.

“I started Pedalers for Prostate to honour an amazing man: my grandfather. If I am able to raise $25,000 for the Prostate Centre so that it can continue improving lives by preventing and treating those with prostate cancer, I will be happy. If one life is saved, I can consider this trip a success.” This adventure is just one way that Wade is striving to make a difference. “Through each act of kindness, people can become living proof that simple acts can make a big difference,” he says. “All it takes is that first step.”

More info: www.pedalersforprostate.ca