Saddled with Purpose

When Stan Garchinski joined the Prairie Carriage Driving Club fourteen years ago, he stepped into more than an equine community – he stepped into a legacy.

Since 2011, when longtime member Pearl Brown was diagnosed with cancer, the club has been raising funds for the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan. What started as support for one of their own has grown into the annual Trek for Cancer.

Each fall, riders and carriage drivers gather for a scenic trail trek before welcoming the wider community to join. With barbecue, wagon rides, live local music, and opportunities to donate, the event has grown into a meaningful community fundraiser. Five years ago, the event moved to a larger venue to accommodate growing participation.

That commitment was reinforced on March 11, 2024, when Bill Humeny, a founding member of the driving club, passed away from cancer. His loss fuels their determination to continue the Pearl Brown/Bill Humeny Memorial Trek for Cancer.

“We keep doing this because we know it supports local cancer care,” Stan says. “We want to help make sure cancer patients’ suffering is lessened.”

What began as support for Pearl, and strengthened in memory of Bill, has become a powerful tradition: a community riding and driving together to ensure no one faces cancer alone.