Father and son cycle across Alberta in support of nurses’ mental health

Posted on June 4, 2026 by admin

Southern Alberta Newspapers

From May 16 to May 21, Dr. Andrew Turnbull and his 19-year-old son, Judah, cycled across Alberta as part of their 7,500-kilometre “Ride for Resilience” journey from Victoria, British Columbia, to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The father-son team is raising awareness and funds for the mental health resilience of Canada’s nurses through the Canadian Nurses Foundation’s Healing Healthcare Initiative.

The journey is being undertaken in honour of Andrew’s mother, Debby, a registered nurse whose life was profoundly changed after a workplace injury ended her nursing career and led to decades of mental health challenges. Despite those struggles, she remains an inspiration to her family and a powerful example of resilience.

“She’s a nurse who hasn’t been able to practise for many decades because of her mental illness,” said Dr. Turnbull. “We’re crossing the country to share part of her story while raising funds for the Canadian Nurses Foundation and its Healing Healthcare Initiative.”

The Alberta portion of the ride presented some of the campaign’s earliest and most demanding challenges. After departing British Columbia, the cyclists encountered mountain snowstorms, difficult terrain and unpredictable spring weather before continuing east across the province.

The pair also experienced an unexpected wildlife encounter while camping near Drumheller when an animal tore into their tent overnight.

These experiences reinforced one of the central messages of the campaign.

“The strongest trees bend with the wind,” said Turnbull. “Resilience isn’t always about being strong. Sometimes resilience means acknowledging our vulnerability and accepting support from others.”

The campaign seeks to highlight the often unseen emotional toll experienced by nurses and healthcare workers.

“If nurses can no longer work in nursing, it’s not just that they lose a job — something of their identity is taken away,” Turnbull said.

A recent conversation during a visit with his mother reinforced that truth.

“A nurse caring for another former healthcare worker said, ‘Once a nurse, always a nurse.’ That really struck me. My mother still sees herself as a nurse today.”

As of late May, the campaign had raised more than $10,000 toward its goal of $15,000 for programs that support nurses’ mental health and well-being across Canada.

For Judah, who spent much of his childhood in the United Kingdom after being born in British Columbia, the journey has become both an adventure and an opportunity to better understand his grandmother’s story.

“When I was seven or eight years old, my dad first mentioned cycling across Canada together after I finished school,” said Judah. “I held onto that idea. What started as a bike trip has become something much bigger.”

After completing the Alberta leg of the journey, the cyclists continued through Saskatchewan and entered Manitoba on May 28. They hope to arrive in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, by July 4.

The father and son hope their journey encourages Canadians to recognize and support the nurses who care for individuals and families every day.

“Look out for the nurses in your life,” said Turnbull. “Let them know resilience doesn’t mean carrying every burden alone.”