13th CIBC 401 Bike Challenge transforms the lives of kids with cancer
MONTREAL, Aug. 11, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - 25 riders arrive in Montreal today after completing a grueling 3-day 576 kilometre trip from Toronto as part of the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge, an initiative of the Piccoli family. Riders raised $175,000 for young cancer patients on Sarah's Floor at the Montreal Children's Hospital.
Mr. Piccoli launched the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge after his wife's battle with cancer. Riders travel between Canada's two biggest cities along one of the country's most densely populated corridors. "Completing an extreme distance ride is something I always wanted to do and what better way to align a physical effort like this than to support children fighting their own extreme battles against cancer," Mr. Piccoli says of the event, which also supports Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
Cyclists left from SickKids in Toronto on Wednesday, August 9, and cycle 190 km to Belleville. The following day, they rode 260 km to Cornwall. On Friday, they cycled another 130 km to arrive in Montreal by early afternoon.
Since its inception in 2005, the event has grown from 8 cyclists to 25. Now in its 13th year, the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge has raised over $2.25 million and helped to transform the lives of thousands of patients and their families at the Children's.
"I am very proud that the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge has not only survived but thrived. I am deeply grateful to my fellow cyclists for their incredible and loyal support for this wonderful cause," Mr. Piccoli says. "In 13 years, our riders have raised over $2.25 million and we think the sky is the limit when it comes to making the event even bigger and better to help more sick children and their families."
The CIBC 401 Bike Challenge funds a variety of projects and equipment for cancer patients, as well as specialized training for nurses. It even helped to build Sarah's Floor (the Hematology/Oncology Inpatient Unit) at the new Montreal Children's Hospital. Funds raised this year go to support the Children's bone marrow transplant program; a portable ultrasound machine so children can receive faster diagnoses and a greater variety of care at the bedside; and an exercise program specially designed for cancer patients, a first at the Children's.
"We owe a huge debt of gratitude to CIBC, the Piccoli family and the riders who participate year after year in this prestigious cycling event," says Katrin Nakashima, interim president of the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation. "We are proud to partner with such a committed group of people and could not fulfill our obligation to the Hospital without them."
ABOUT THE PICCOLI FAMILY FUND
The Piccoli Family Fund was launched in 2011 to support Pediatric Oncology at the Montreal Children's Hospital. The Fund also supports the Pediatric Oncology Program at Toronto's SickKids Hospital.
ABOUT THE MONTREAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The Montreal Children's Hospital is the pediatric teaching hospital of the McGill University Faculty of Medicine. The Children's is a leader in providing a broad spectrum of highly specialized care to newborns, children, and adolescents from all across Quebec. Since its inception in 1973, the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation has raised more than $340 million from the community to ensure that the Children's remains on the cutting edge of teaching, research and care. For more information, please visit childrenfoundation.com.
SOURCE The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation
Kim Fraser, Vice president of Communications, Marketing and Stewardship, Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, T : 514-934-1934, #29267, [email protected]
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