Jim Best (BSc (Pharmacy)’08) is not all talk and no action. The Dal alumnus, who works as a community pharmacist in Centreville, NS, has now ridden across two countries to raise funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. In July 2014, he rode his motorcycle 8,700 km from Boston to San Francisco, surpassing his fundraising goal of $10,000 by documenting and sharing his journey online along the way. This summer, Best undertook a similar journey across Ireland. 

Best has cystic fibrosis himself, and has embarked on his cross-country expeditions in order to give back to the organization that has supported him throughout his life. He feels that Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s advocacy adeptly balances sharing the successes and the challenges of people living with cystic fibrosis.

Both trips required a great deal of preparation, including fundraising, physical training, and logistical planning. Best started planning his one-month journey across the U.S. five months in advance.

The motorcycle activist describes himself as a “strong active advocate” for cystic fibrosis. A true lover of the motorcycle, he explains that part of the motivation for his journeys was the fact that many of his friends with cystic fibrosis were held back from achieving lifetime goals due to the condition. Best considers himself fortunate to have been able to finish university and hold a steady job in his field, despite his condition. His motorcycle journeys have been his way of giving back to Cystic Fibrosis Canada and honouring others before him.

Read more in “Jim Best rides coast-to-coast to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada” on cysticfibrosis.ca.