June 22/09 10:32 am - B.C. Ride to Conquer Cancer Raises $6.9 Million

Posted by Editor on 06/22/09
 

The BC Cancer Foundation is pleased to announce that 1701 participants from across B.C. and the Pacific Northwest raised $6.9 million in B.C.’s first Ride to Conquer Cancer, an epic cycling journey from Vancouver to Seattle.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a fundraiser for cancer research in British Columbia and Washington state. Funds raised by Canadian Riders will be donated to the BC Cancer Foundation to support research and patient care at the BC Cancer Agency. This money 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. 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 in Seattle.

After a motivational Opening Ceremonies outside the Guildford Town Centre, participants embarked on the first leg of their journey, riding across the border and into Mount Vernon where they camped overnight. Sunday morning riders rose early to complete their journey at the University of Washington in Seattle. Family, friends, and supporters were invited to greet and cheer on the Riders as they make their way to the finish line.

The second annual Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting BC Cancer Foundation is already planned for June 19 - 20, 2010. For more information about the event, or to register as a participant for next year, please contact [888] 771-BIKE [2453], or sign up online at conquercancer.ca.

The BC Cancer Foundation gratefully acknowledges the event sponsors for their commitment to the cause: CTV, The Globe and Mail, 99.3 The Fox, CKNW, Classic Rock 101, Volkswagen, BC Ferries, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Clearly Contacts and RockDoc+. The BC Cancer Foundation would also like to thank the gracious partners of the event: Maple Ridge Chrysler, Vitaminwater, Barefoot Wine, ZipCar, Healthy Bagels, Guildford Town Centre, Norco and BCAA.

“Monies raised through The Ride to Conquer Cancer allow us to support otherwise under-funded areas of research. With this year’s funds the BC Cancer Foundation will support research into all types of cancer including recent advances made by the BC Cancer Agency towards better identifying cancer sub-types, improving personalized treatment and developing new therapies for patients of all ages.” Nick Locke, Senior VP of Development at the BC Cancer Foundation and rider.

“The funds raised from this event will play a huge role in advancing research. 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.” Dr. Kim Chi, medical oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Centre.