Riders cross finish line in Seattle
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Updated: June 23, 2009 9:40 AM
B.C.’s inaugural Ride to Conquer Cancer has emerged as the most successful cross-border cycling fundraiser ever. Participants crossed the finish line Sunday after riding more than 200 kms from Vancouver to Seattle and raising $6.9 million for cancer research in both Canada and the U.S.
With 44 per cent of Canadian men and 39 per cent of Canadian women developing cancer in their lifetime, the money raised will drive crucial cancer research and help develop new cancer treatments at the BC Cancer Agency, Canada’s only cancer control organization dedicated to both cancer research and patient care.
“The funds raised from this event will play a huge role in advancing research,” says Dr. Kim Chi, medical oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Centre. “Thanks to the tremendous support from everyone involved in The Ride, we can help researchers at the BC Cancer Agency and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center find the treatments and cures that will help make cancer history.”
The Ride to Conquer Cancer funds raised by the B.C. riders will be donated to the BC Cancer Foundation to support research into all types of cancers at the BC Cancer Agency, especially in otherwise under-funded areas of research and towards better identifying cancer sub-types, personalized treatment and the development of new therapies.
Funds raised by U.S riders will be donated to the Canary Foundation to support early detection cancer research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
“I’m overwhelmed by the support that everyone has received for The Ride in its first year,” says Pat McCowan from Canary Foundation. “The funds raised are going to do a world of good for advancing research and treatment options at the BC Cancer Agency in British Columbia as well as Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Washington.”
The second annual Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting BC Cancer Foundation is already planned for June 19 to 20, 2010. For more information about the event, or to register as a participant for next year, contact 888-771-BIKE, or sign up online at www.conquercancer.ca
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