Ride to Conquer Cancer
July 2009 Edition
(Toronto, June 14, 2009) - In its second year, The Ride to Conquer Cancer has emerged as Canada’s most successful cycling fundraiser. Yesterday, The Princess Margaret announced that 3, 530 participants from across North America raised $14.5 million.
“I have spent most of my clinical career operating on patients who have cancer and I can assure that research has dramatically improved outcomes over the past 20 years,” says Dr. Bob Bell, President and CEO, University Health Network. “Because of the support received through the Ride, we can help researchers at Canada's premier cancer research centre find the cures that will conquer cancer in our lifetime.”
With the launch of The Ride to Conquer Cancer, The Princess Margaret can allocate crucial funds for its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute (OCI), which includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research. Dr. Benjamin Neel, Director of The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, and Dr. Mary Gospodarowicz, Medical Director of Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Program, have a clear vision on where the money raised on The Ride to Conquer Cancer will be best utilized.
“I was attracted to Canada because of the unique research being conducted at The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world,” states Dr. Benjamin Neel. “The Princess Margaret is home to 168 scientists who specialize in cancer research. While The Princess Margaret has established world-leading positions in areas such as cancer stem cells, tumour hypoxia/metabolism, radiation biology and image-guided therapeutics, modern cancer research is extremely expensive and labour intensive. To remain on the cutting edge, we need to continue to recruit and retain the best scientists, purchase the most modern equipment and fund high-risk, high-gain research projects that typically are not supported by other funding agencies."
Although improvements have been made over the past twenty years to treat the 200+ types of cancer, many still pose considerable challenges. In 2008 alone, there were an estimated 159,900 new cases of cancer diagnosed in Canada, with 72,700 resulting in death.
“The Ride to Conquer Cancer provides essential funding for The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute at The Princess Margaret,” says Paul Alofs, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. “As Canada’s largest cancer centre, we are committed to providing patients with the best possible care, breakthrough research designed to minimize the impact of treatment and passionate staff who truly believe that we can conquer cancer in our lifetime.”
(Article: The Ride to Conquer Cancer Website - http://to09.conquercancer.ca/site/News2?abbr=to09_&page=NewsArticle&id=13980)
Helping people to Discover, Connect,
and Make a Difference!
June 4, 2009 - Maia A. tells the audience she is about to do something she has never done before, ride a bike over 200km to help conquer cancer.
Name: Maia A.
Participating in: The Ride to Conquer Cancer
Bike Riding Experience: Little to None
Fund Raising Experience: None
Why did you decide to participate and support this cause?
I've always wanted to be a part of something beyond things I normally like to do. It's something meaningful. I believe it make an actual difference, and it is the reason that research, and people get what they need to move towards finding a cure and helping those with cancer cope, and those who care for those with cancer understand and take care of them.
My very close aunt and cousin both got diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in the same month, late last year, so this cause is very close to my heart.
After Race Update:
Maia completed the 200km ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls on Jun 13-14.
When asked whether she would do it again next year, she replied "most definitely!". She tells Inspired! that after the race, she has received so much support, and interest from people that want to do the ride with her next year.
Congratulations Maia!
The Inspired Alliances Team
Million Dollar Smiles
Youth Stopping Youth Violence
Making a Difference in China
Christina Chan., shares with all, how we can help those in desperate need of medical resources in the poorer regions of China.
Mike Prosserman just graduated last year from University. He has taken his passion for hip hop and break dancing into High Schools, spear-heading a youth led movement against Violence called UNITY.
Anna Lopes wanted to pay it forward so she started a non profit organization to put smiles on the faces of people facing major challenges in their everyday lives.
Riding to Conquer Cancer
Building Homes, Building Hope
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Aaron Chan., C.A. Forensic Accountant, volunteers his time at CA tax clinics, providing free tax services for low-income families, and is also a Big Brother.
Ian Macrae inspired many people at the Inspired Alliances' June event with his stories of people coming together to help build homes for families in the Greater Toronto Area.
Maia Alvina wanted to pay it forward so she started a non profit organization to put smiles on the faces of people facing major challenges in their everyday lives.
Light the Night Walk
Steve Holder talked about his experience with being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) in the spring of 2008, his road to remission, and Light the Night Walk.
