Introducing Our Crew Chief: Sharon Dean-Andres

The Cycling for Cameron Team is incredibly grateful to Sharon Dean-Andres, our crew leader and a magnificent force for good on the team.  In her own words:

How can you say no to a cause as good as this?  Ten years ago, my Dad told to me, "Live your life with no regrets." He died in 2015 and then a few months later my three kids were in a horrible car accident and I almost lost them. So, I don’t live with regrets. I make a decision and I stick by it. 

I turned 50 last year and promised myself I would say yes to everything that crossed my path last year.  I crewed for a two-person RAAM team in 2016 and this year, when Kevin asked me to be crew leader, I talked to my mom and my kids – we’re also moving right now – and they agreed I should do it.

I do the RAAM to get out of my comfort zone, and to be a good role model for my kids.

My boss who has crewed for the RAAM said don’t do it.  When he heard it’s an 8-man team that’s not even Canadian, he said, “You’re crazy.”

When I signed on in March, we were so far behind on everything – finding a crew, arranging vehicles, and all the important logistics. I’m a Canadian and our crew has come together from all over the US, Canada and Europe, and we’ll still meeting each other for the first time. 

I can’t thank the crew enough. The work is harder on the crew than on the riders. The riders have done all the training and fundraising, but the crew has so much riding on them. 

I’m excited about the send-off. I tend to remove emotion because I work for a camp that helps kids with cancer, but to have Meghan and Nicky (Cameron’s siblings) there at the start and finish and throughout, well, that will be something.  I’m excited to do this with Kevin and close friends and a few crazy canucks. 

Don’t ever tell you kids to live with no regrets, because this is what will happen. :) 


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