JARVIS—From rain-soaked mountain passes to long prairie stretches, Dan Johnson is cycling across Canada with a mission in his heart and his late son’s dream in his mind.
Johnson, a Port Dover resident, set out from Vancouver on July 1, 2025 and plans to arrive in his hometown on August 23, completing a 5,000-km journey in honour of his son Luke and in support of the Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice project.
His goal is simple – raise awareness and inspire donations to help make the 10-bed facility planned for Jarvis a reality.
“We need a hospice,” said Johnson. “We need a palliative care centre in Haldimand and Norfolk. We have 120,000 residents and we don’t have a hospice.”
Luke passed away at the age of eight in July 2024. The family received care from the Stedman Community Hospice in Brantford, and the experience left a lasting impact.
“Our family had an amazing experience,” said Johnson. “So, we thought – let’s get involved with the hospice effort in Norfolk and Haldimand.”
Luke had always admired Terry Fox. Two weeks before he passed, he told his parents he wanted to follow in Fox’s footsteps.
“He emphatically stated – I’m going to run across Canada. He wanted to finish what Terry started, from Thunder Bay to British Columbia,” said Johnson. “So, we’re honouring Luke’s desire to do that. Except this time, it’s with his dad on a bike – and the whole community. We’re all going to do it together.”
Johnson told The Press he is hoping the ride will raise awareness for what a hospice is and why it matters: “Some people don’t know we don’t have one. Some people don’t know the difference between hospice and hospital care.”
The Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice will offer palliative care in a compassionate, home-like environment – something Johnson believes everyone deserves access to.
The campaign, called “Live Like Luke,” isn’t just about cycling. It’s about encouraging people to reflect on how they live and give. The ask is modest: $50, one time.
“Everyone can get excited about this,” he said. “A $50 one-time donation is accessible to everyone. We’re not asking anyone to give a whole bunch.”
The campaign has been built around digital storytelling.
Johnson, a videographer himself, is documenting each leg of the journey and uploading it to livelikelukejohnson.com, where visitors can also donate and follow along on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
“We’ve got extremely high levels of engagement,” said Johnson.
Johnson’s route spans 53 days, including 43 cycling days averaging 110km each. He allows one rest day every seven days to pace himself. Each day brings a new challenge, especially while navigating mountain roads and unpredictable weather.
“I’m not riding hard,” he said. “There’s effort required, especially through the mountains, but I’m just taking care of my body and pacing myself.”
The support team includes his wife Jill, who drives the RV from stop to stop, and their two children, Hosanna and Pearce.
“Together we’re on an adventure every day. Every 24-hour cycle has a lot of duties and responsibilities – but also a lot of fun.”
Johnson also credits over 70 local sponsors – mostly small and medium-sized businesses from Haldimand and Norfolk – with helping the campaign come to life.
“Sponsorship is the only reason we were able to do this.”
Though he hasn’t set a financial target, Johnson’s ambition is clear: reach as many residents of Haldimand and Norfolk as possible, and encourage each to give just once.
“The funds will be what they’re going to be,” he said. “I’ve just said $50, one time. That’s the goal. Thousands and thousands of times.”
Johnson is no stranger to endurance sports. He ran varsity cross country in university and competed in triathlons for several years, including two Ironman events in 2019. Still, this ride is something different.
“This project is very difficult,” he said. “That’s what it means to live like Luke. This ride requires belief, strength, and love. Luke never gave up. He lived every day, never complained, never quit. And if we can get through this ride and persevere to the end, we’ll reflect the exact way that Luke lived.”
Each day’s ride isn’t just a physical test – it’s a tribute.
“Luke had a difficult life. He was strong. There was no quit, no complaining. And this project is built in a way to honour that.”
For Johnson, the importance of hospice care can’t be overstated.
“You may have never even thought about it before because it’s never touched your life. But when it does – not having a hospice will mean an ideal experience at the end of life is out of reach.”
He described hospice care as compassionate, family-centred, and full of expertise – not just a service, but an environment of care.
“To give $50 one time – it’s like you’re just putting one little brick in that facility. You’re putting in some wiring or a piece of the foundation. And together, these two counties coming together to build this – that’s an amazing thing.”
Johnson hopes the project brings the community together around something that transcends division.
“There are so many things that pull us apart right now. But this is a care centre for everyone – regardless of socioeconomic status, background, religion, identity. Everyone needs it, whether they know it or not.”
On August 23, Johnson plans to ride to Port Dover to complete the journey. The final stretch will include a community ride-in, inviting supporters to join for the last 10km, ending in what Johnson expects to be a celebration downtown.
“Anyone who wants to ride – kids, adults, doesn’t matter – we’ll do the last 10km together,” he said. “Then we’re going to have a huge party that night.”
To donate or follow along with Dan Johnson’s cross-Canada ride for hospice, visit livelikelukejohnson.com.
