As the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer gets underway on Saturday one High River woman is doing it for the eighth time.

Maggie Bowen says the first time it was a bit overwhelming collecting the money, training and then riding the hills for the first time.

"Every year you learn more, because you realize it's not just for the people and raising the money," said Bowen. "It is for the people who are challenging cancer and it is a good way for people to mentally heal."

She has ridden with people who are healing from cancer treatments, are in the process of cancer treatments or getting over someone they have lost.

"My heart just kind of mends a little bit each time."

This year she has some company on the ride, her husband Rick, who in other years she has called her Sherpa.

"Surprise, Sherpa you are not Sherpaing me this year. So he gets to experience it."

The couple are just a bit shy of their fundraising goals, Maggie needs another $112 and Rick is just short $600. If you would like to donate you can go to their web page.

The opening ceremony is Saturday, Aug. 12 at 7 a.m. at Canada Olympic Park with just over 1400 riders traveling 230 km over the two days.

The event raised $6.35 million dollars for the Alberta cancer foundation in 2016  to support breakthrough cancer research, clinical trials, enhanced care and the discovery of new cancer therapies at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Cross Cancer Institute and 15 other centres across Alberta.

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