The Enbridge Ride To Conquer Cancer announces $19.1 million raised as 6th annual Ride commences in Ontario
The largest cycling fundraiser in Canada draws 5,020 riders and supports Personalized Cancer Medicine at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto.
TORONTO, June 8, 2013 /CNW/ - The Enbridge Ride To Conquer Cancer announced 5,020 riders helped raise $19.1 million for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation as the sixth annual Ride commenced in Ontario on Saturday. Funds raised through Canada's largest cycling fundraiser support Personalized Cancer Medicine at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
"We extend our utmost gratitude and well wishes to this incredible community of Riders, Crew Members, Volunteers, and their extended networks of family and supporters for helping to make the sixth annual Enbridge Ride To Conquer Cancer an overwhelming success," said Paul Alofs, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
"This year over 187,600 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in Canada, and 75,500 Canadians will die from this horrid disease. As one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, The Princess Margaret is determined to conquer cancer in our lifetime. This vital $19.1 million raised is already powering Personalized Cancer Medicine at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, enabling the continuity of world-leading research, treatment advances, education and new standards of care right here in Toronto," Alofs added.
In six years, The Enbridge Ride To Conquer Cancer raised over $99.3 million for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and over $194.6 million for cancer research, treatment and care programs across the country. The annual event draws thousands of participants and brings together communities of cancer survivors, cyclists and supporters who train and fundraise in order to participate in the two-day, 200 km Ride between Toronto and Niagara Falls.
"My cousin Jennifer was diagnosed with stage II Lymphoma and battled the disease for almost five years before passing away at the age of 27," said Joanna Kadwell, a first-year participant from Oakville, Ontario.
"Jennifer was the first to donate to my fundraising goal but she sadly lost her fight in October, on my 16th birthday. She fought a long and brave battle and I miss her every day. I am participating in The Ride to honour my role model, and I only hope that funds raised can prevent others from leaving us too soon," Kadwell added.
Funds raised through The Ride support The Princess Margaret's creation and implementation of Personalized Cancer Medicine, which detects cancers earlier, diagnoses cancers more precisely, targets treatments more specifically and provides comprehensive support to patients and their families.
"Our personalized treatment and care programs make a substantial impact on cancer patient outcomes," says Dr. Jonathan Irish, Head of Surgical Oncology at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
"These vital funds raised support the continuity of our world-leading research programs, including immune therapy, stem cell and tumour hypoxia programs. Our research platforms incorporate the latest in image-guided technology and robotic surgery, while our clinical trials support specific cancer types through our world-class BioBanke. Funds raised through The Ride also support over 150 highly-skilled clinical scientists and over 1,000 team members who are employed through our research initiatives," Dr. Irish added.
In 2011, "The Ride To Conquer Cancer" became known as "The Enbridge Ride To Conquer Cancer" when Enbridge became the National Title Sponsor.
"Enbridge employees and our community of friends and family members celebrate this overwhelming success for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation," said Guy Jarvis, President of Enbridge Gas Distribution.
"We are honoured to support The Princess Margaret in its valiant initiative to conquer cancer in this lifetime, and we offer our thanks and gratitude to the critical, world-leading cancer programs it's leading," Jarvis added.
Alofs says all sponsorships are vital components to all charitable initiatives because they help pay for the event costs.
"We are beyond grateful to all our sponsors for their support. The generous contributions from Enbridge and all of our sponsors enable more funds raised through The Ride to support vital cancer programs at The Princess Margaret," Alofs added.
Moments before the start of The Ride, Alofs and event organizers addressed thousands of participants simultaneously in Toronto and Niagara Falls to share the fundraising and participant totals for the 2013 event.
Ride organizers released the dates of June 7th and 8th for the 2014 Ride, and opened registration for the event.
"We extend a warm welcome to everyone here today and hope you all will join us next year for the 7th annual Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer," said Alofs.
"Register today at our re-registration tent, visit our 2014 website at www.conquercancer.ca or call us at 877 699 BIKE," Alofs concluded as thousands of Riders cheered and the 2013 Ride commenced.
Ride organizers expect thousands Ontarians to attend public cheering stations along the route. For a map of the Ride routes, visit www.conquercancer.ca.
To register, donate or request information, visit www.conquercancer.ca or call (877) 699-BIKE (2453).
ABOUT THE PRINCESS MARGARET CANCER CENTRE - CLICK HERE
ABOUT THE CAMPBELL FAMILY CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT THE PRINCESS MARGARET CANCER CENTRE - CLICK HERE
ABOUT THE PRINCESS MARGARET CANCER FOUNDATION - CLICK HERE
MEDIA PHOTOS FROM TODAY - CLICK HERE
MEDIA VIDEOS FROM TODAY - CLICK HERE
SOURCE: Ride to Conquer Cancer
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ailish Steele
Senior Communications Manager
(416) 577-9255
[email protected]
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