The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer announces $6.3 million raised as 5th annual Ride commences in Quebec

The largest cycling fundraiser in Quebec draws 1,778 riders and supports cancer research, treatment and care programs at the Jewish General Hospital and partner hospitals across the province.

MONTREAL, July 6, 2013 /CNW/ - The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer announced that 1,778 riders helped raise $6.3 million for the Jewish General Hospital, as the fifth annual Ride commenced in Quebec on Saturday.  Funds raised through Quebec's largest cycling fundraiser support life-saving cancer research, treatment and care programs at the Jewish General Hospital and its partner hospitals across the province.

"We are grateful to this incredible community of Riders, Crew Members, Volunteers, and their extended networks of family, friends and supporters who have come together and helped make our fifth Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer benefitting the Jewish General Hospital an incredible success," said Myer Bick, President and CEO of the Jewish General Hospital Foundation.

"75,500 Canadians will die from cancer this year, while over 187,600 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in Canada.  Our mission at the Jewish General Hospital is to deliver expert clinical care in a compassionate manner to all Quebecers.  This vital $6.3 million raised is already helping power a wide   range of life-saving cancer research, treatment and care programs here in Montreal and across the province at the Fondation du CHU de Québec, the Fondation régional pour la santé de Trois-Rivières (RSTR), and the Fondation du CSSS de Gatineau," Bick added.

In five years, The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer has raised over $32 million for the Jewish General Hospital for cancer research, treatment and care programs across the province.  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, 230 km Ride from Montreal to Quebec City.

"Over the last two years, I have been fighting melanoma," said first-year participant Dr. Sylvain Gagnon, of Laval.
"While facing this life-threatening disease, I have decided to contribute to the research centre at the Jewish General Hospital, where I have been receiving treatment.  It has not been easy training throughout my chemotherapy, but hope has provided me with the energy needed to keep on fighting."

Dr. Gerald Batist, Director of the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital, says the crucial dollars raised through The Ride enable the continuity of world-leading cancer research initiatives underway at the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital and across the province.

"Our researchers are making incredible progress to further develop the technology used for molecular diagnostics, functional imaging and advanced targeted therapies.  This world-leading work being done here in Montreal is leading to more, better outcomes for more cancer patients in Quebec," Dr. Batist 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 extended community of friends and family members are thrilled to celebrate this tremendous success for the Jewish General Hospital," said Scott Dodd, Senior Project Director, Enbridge, and captain of the Enbridge ride team. 

"We are honoured to support this incredible effort by the Jewish General Hospital to deliver expert clinical care in a compassionate manner to all Quebecers and we extend our thanks and gratitude to the critical, world-leading cancer programs underway here," Dodd added. 

Bick says all sponsorships are critical to the success of charitable initiatives because they help pay for the event costs.

"We are extremely thankful to all our sponsors for their generous support.  The contributions from Enbridge and all of our sponsors enable more of the vital funds raised through The Ride to be put to use powering our cancer-related initiatives," Bick added.

Moments before the start of The Ride, event organizers addressed thousands of participants to share the fundraising and participant totals for the 2013 event.

Ride organizers released the dates of July 5^th and 6^th for the 2014 Ride, and opened registration for the event.

"We hope everyone here today will join us next year for the 6^th annual Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.  Register today at our re-registration tent, visit our 2014 website at www.conquercancer.ca or call us at 866-996-8356," Bick added.

Ride organizers expect thousands of Quebecers to attend public cheering stations along the route.  For a map of the Ride route, visit www.conquercancer.ca

To register, donate or request information, visit www.conquercancer.ca or call 866 996-8356.

ABOUT THE JEWISH GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION - CLICK HERE
MEDIA PHOTOS FROM 2013 EVENT - CLICK HERE

SOURCE: Ride to Conquer Cancer

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Scott
Communications Manager
[phone]
[email protected]