The 2010 Ride to Conquer Cancer organized by the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation in Toronto is a unique fundraising event.
The 4108 cycling participants included people from nine Canadian provinces and 19 U.S. states. With the same starting point and finishing location, cyclists could elect to ride either 200 kilometres (124.27 miles) or 200 miles (321.87 km).
Ride to Conquer Cancer 2008 and 2009
The 2008 Princess Margaret Hospital’s Ride to Conquer Cancer brought together 2,850 cyclists for the journey from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The event that developed into the largest fundraising effort by cyclists in Canada raised $14 million.
In 2009, $14.5 million were raised by 3,500 cyclists with the same start and finish locations. As a result of the inaugural Ride to Conquer Cancer success, the effort was expanded to include Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal.
Princess Margaret Hospital Ride to Conquer Cancer
Registrants for the June 12-13, 2010 Ride to Conquer Cancer were well supported by a qualified team which provides:
- organized training rides for different terrains and areas
- orientation sessions in which riders learn "bike basics"
- a manual containing advice on proper nutrition
- discussions with Ride Guides
- fundraising ideas
Safety and Support During The Ride To Conquer Cancer
On Saturday, June 12, following an Opening Ceremony at Toronto’s CNE grounds, the riders poured out onto the streets. It was not a race or competition, only a shared wish to travel safely to Niagara Falls, and to enjoy the experience. There was also great enthusiasm among the riders, all of whom managed successful fundraising campaigns.
The safety of all riders was extremely important to the organizers. Teams of supportive volunteers were present at all times during The Ride to Conquer Cancer. At regular pit stops, every 25-30 km along the route, water, sports drinks, and high-energy snacks were available.
Besides bagged lunches each day, the riders received hardy breakfasts on the second day, and full dinners at the end of each day’s ride. A volunteer team of medical professionals provided services whenever required.
Participants settled down for the night at the "tent city" on the Mohawk College campus in Hamilton. The journey continued under rainy skies Sunday morning. After cycling on highways and country roads, up the Hamilton Mountain (Niagara Escarpment) and down, the Ride to Conquer Cancer participants arrived in Niagara Falls.
Toronto Ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls
One of the thousands of participants in the Ride to Conquer Canada, David Airdrie remarked that there was a great sense of camaraderie throughout the journey. To his knowledge there were no disagreements or personality clashes. He estimated that the riders comprised equal numbers of females and males ranging in ages from teenagers to the eldest rider, age 82. Many of the 2010 riders have registered to be participants in 2011.
Similar events to the Toronto Ride to Conquer Cancer are scheduled in three more Canadian locations:
- Vancouver, June 19-20 – Ride through scenic Pacific Northwest
- Calgary, June 26-27 – Ride along the majestic Rocky Mountains
- Montreal, July 10-11 – Ride to Quebec City
Princess Margaret Hospital Research
The Ontario Cancer Institute located at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto has a well-earned reputation internationally as one of the top five in the field. The hospital is able to allocate substantial, essential funding to its work with the help of thousands of people who participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Source:
The Ride to Conquer Cancer
Kathleen Airdrie - Kathleen has thirty years' freelance writing experience covering history, biographical profiles, environmental and social issues
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