In October of 2008, Bill Bradfield, a member of the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association, announced an idea that he had been mulling over for a couple of years. A Vietnam veteran diagnosed with diabetes, he came up with the idea of an international snowmobiling trek from Michigan to Alaska to raise funds for research into a cure for the disease. In the course of about a month the idea snowballed and attracted the interest of just about everyone in the Michigan snowmobiling community. Local associations and snowmobile dealers alike were interested in hearing more about this snow-filled adventure.
From that little idea, MichCanSka 2010 grew into an international snowmobiling charity ride benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute, helping millions around the world in their fight against diabetes.
Bill and his fellow snowmobilers, many also U.S. and Canadian SMWIA members from Michigan and surrounding areas, are currently on the 4 state and 5 province trek. You can follow their journey as they cross from Michigan into Canada and finally arrive safely in Alaska here. The geographical highlights of the MichCanSka trip include the Trans Canada Trail, along with the Yukon Territory, and the original gold rush mining town of Dawson city including a final trek on the Top of the World Highway, to TOK Alaska.
Local residents have been coming out to greet the snowmobilers as they cross from town to town and have been contributing to the Diabetes Research cause.
There is a link available through the Michcanska website for those of you interested in donating to this worthy cause.