Canadian charity fundraising event
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation launched the Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2008 as a mega-event fundraiser in support of cancer research and care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, located in Ontario, Canada. The Ride is a non-competitive cycling adventure that sees thousands of riders travel more than 200 kilometres from Toronto to Niagara Falls over two days.
Throughout the 16-year history of the Ride, more than $280 million has been raised in Ontario and $520 million across Canada. The minimum fundraising amount required to participate in the event varies based on the chosen route with goals ranging from $2,000 to $4,000.
Funds raised support the world-class research and care underway at The Princess Margaret with advancements benefitting patients across Canada and around the world. The Ride was recognized as the number one peer-to-peer fundraising event in Canada from 2014 to 2019.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was cancelled in Montréal, Québec and postponed in Vancouver, British Columbia. In Ontario and Alberta, the Ride pivoted to a virtual experience where the fundraising minimum and registration fee were waived, and riders chose their own route and distance to cycle.
Today, the Ride remains an aspirational and epic cycling fundraiser benefitting The Princess Margaret with participants coming from 10 provinces and two territories in Canada, 45 states in the United States, and three countries.
The Ride to Conquer Cancer event was licensed to cancer charities in Montréal, Calgary, and Vancouver following the initial success of the first Ride in 2008, as the inaugural event raised $14 million for The Princess Margaret. Importantly, 100% of the License Fees went back into a national collaborative clinical trials initiative. The previous Canadian charity partners are no longer associated with the Ride as they have launched their own cycling fundraisers.
The original event agency that supported the Canadian edition of the Ride to Conquer Cancer took the program to Australia in 2011, where the event took place for four years.
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world. With over 3,700 employees, and the largest roster of cancer surgeons in Canada, over 200 types of cancer are treated at The Princess Margaret. In 2022, the Cancer Centre saw over 18,000 new patients. Among the services provided in 2022, it delivered 5,437 surgical procedures, 75,600 radiation therapy visits, 51,619 systemic therapy and transfusion visits, and 487 stem cell transplants. The clinical trials program also continues to grow in volume and breadth with 8,795 participants in research studies.
Through ongoing research, education, and innovation, The Princess Margaret remains on the frontiers of medical, surgical and radiation oncology, embracing the latest technology and international best-practices and setting standards for patient care.
The Ride is an epic two-day cycling event where thousands of participants from across Canada and around the world gather to ride over 200 kilometres from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Cyclists seek the support of their network of friends, family, and co-workers to fundraise for the event. Since 2008, the Ontario Ride has raised more than $280 million for cancer research and care.
From 2010 to 2021, Enbridge was the title sponsor for the Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Steve’s Cyclepaths is the all-time top fundraising team, typically raising more than $1 million each year. Over the past 16 years, the passionate team has raised $13 million for cancer research and care.
Each year, the Ontario Ride has hundreds of cancer survivors who take part. These riders affix a yellow flag on their bike to denote their journey with cancer, and they are celebrated by the Ride community throughout the event.
The British Columbia Ride commences in Vancouver with riders crossing into the United States to finish in Seattle, Washington. Nearly 2,642 riders raised $10.4 million in 2013 for the BC Cancer Foundation. [1] In 2018, the event changed its destination to Hope, British Columbia instead of Seattle. Due to smoke from forest fires, the Ride could not reach Hope and instead a loop was created with the riders returning to the City of Chilliwack in B.C. on the Sunday. In 2019, riders were able to make it to Hope. In 2018, 2,100 riders participated and raised $9.1 million. [2] Over eleven years, the B.C. Ride has raised more than $105.1 million.
The Alberta Ride originates at Spruce Meadows in Calgary and heads southwest to Chain Lakes Provincial Park in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains before returning to Calgary. In 2013, 1,655 riders raised $7.5 million in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
Starting in Montréal and finishing in Québec City, the Ride supports Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital in Montréal. In 2013, 1,778 riders raised $6.3 million through the Ride. [3]
The event went international as the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer, taking place in Brisbane in August 2011 and 2012. The event has raised nearly $10 million for cancer research at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, one of the largest research institutes in Australia. [4]
Rides also now take place annually in Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne. [5]
In 2013, the Brisbane Ride, sponsored by Rio Tinto, had 1,236 participating riders and raised $4.2 million for QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. The Ride originated from Brisbane, breaking in Lake Wivenhoe, and returned to Brisbane.
The Melbourne Ride originated from Victoria in 2013 with 1,223 participating riders raising $4.3 million for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. [6]
The Perth Ride, sponsored by Sunsuper, had 1,336 riders in 2013 and raised $5.2 million for Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (formerly Western Australian Institute for Medical Research). [7]
The Sydney Ride, sponsored by Sunsuper, had 1,034 participating riders in 2013, raising $4.1 million for the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.
2013 was the first year of The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting Cancer Society Auckland. 663 riders raised $2.1 million. [8]
Terrance Stanley Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to cancer, he embarked on an east-to-west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi), and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy. The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research; over C$850 million has been raised in his name as of September 2022.
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is a scientific research centre and a teaching hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, affiliated with the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine as part of the University Health Network. The hospital now stands as the largest cancer centre in Canada and one of the five largest cancer centres in the world. Along with the Odette Cancer Centre, which is also associated with University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and is independently the sixth largest cancer centre in North America, it forms one of the largest cluster of cancer hospitals in the world.
The Terry Fox Run is an annual non-competitive charity event held around the world to raise money for cancer research in commemoration of Canadian cancer activist Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope.
University Health Network (UHN) is a public research and teaching hospital network in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is the largest health research organization in Canada, ranking first in Canada for total research funding. It was named Canada's top research hospital by Research Infosource from 2015 to 2022. The network includes three acute care hospitals – Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre – the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and The Michener Institute, a post-secondary institution granting diplomas and certificates in health sciences and leadership. In the 2019-2020 fiscal year, there were over 39,000 acute inpatient stays and close to 121,000 emergency department visits across the three acute care hospitals. Newsweek has consistently named UHN's Toronto General Hospital as among the world's top hospitals, most recently ranking Toronto General as the world's 3rd best hospital in 2024, and first in Canada.
Relay For Life is a community-based fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Each year, more than 5,000 Relay For Life events take place in over twenty countries. Events are held in local communities, university campuses and as virtual campaigns. As the American Cancer Society's most successful fundraiser and the organization's signature event, the mission of Relay For Life is to raise funds to improve cancer survival, decrease the incidence of cancer, and improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their caretakers.
Maureen Holloway is a Canadian radio personality, entertainer and comedian who is best known for her radio segments The Last Word. Until September 1, 2014, Holloway used to broadcast live, weekday mornings, in consecutive segments with the hosts of Canadian morning shows in various cities.
The Alzheimer's Association is a nonprofit voluntary health organization that focuses on Alzheimer's disease care, support and research.
BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority in British Columbia, Canada.
City of Hope is a private, non-profit clinical research center, hospital and graduate school located in Duarte, California, United States. The center's main campus resides on 110 acres (45 ha) of land adjacent to the boundaries of Duarte and Irwindale, with a network of clinical practice locations throughout Southern California, satellite offices in Monrovia and Irwindale, and regional fundraising offices throughout the United States.
The Irish Cancer Society is the national charity in the Republic of Ireland dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem, and improving the lives of those who have cancer.
The AIDSRides were a series of fundraising events organised by Pallotta TeamWorks which raised more than $105 million for critical AIDS services and medical research. About half of the money raised directly benefited AIDS patients.
Junior Civitan International is a student-led service organization for middle and high school students. There are 11,000 Junior Civitan members in 400 clubs in North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. It is the longest lasting project of its parent organization Civitan International.
Nancy Olmsted is a Canadian kayaker, she is the youngest of four children of Charlie and the late Joan Olmsted. Nancy competed in the Sport of Canoeing during the 1980s and during that time, represented Canada in two summer Olympic Games; 1984 in Los Angeles and 1988 in Seoul, Korea. She was a spare in 1984 at the age of 18 and competed in the K-4 500m event with her sister Barbara and placed 10 in the 1988 Olympic Games. Nancy was the first woman athlete to win six gold medals at the Canadian Canoe Championships in Calgary in 1983 and placed 6th in the Junior World Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland in the K-1 500m event. She was a member of the Canadian National Canoe Team from 1983 to 1992. During that time, she represented the North Bay Canoe Club in the Canadian Championships winning over 50 National Championship medals during her canoeing career. Her best world performance was fifth in the K-2 event in 1991 and achieved a bronze medal in the K-2 event with her sister, Barbara in the World University Games in 1987 in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. In addition to this, Nancy was a varsity level cross-country skier and competed in the University circuit for 5 years and placed second in 4 of these 5 years while representing Queen's University and Nipissing University respectively. While attending Nipissing University, the women's team won the Varsity Ontario University Championships under the direction of Nordic Coach, Dave Rees. Nancy was named to the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame and was also named the Northern Ontario athlete of the year in 1983.
Larry Rosen is the chairman and CEO of Harry Rosen Inc., a privately owned, luxury menswear chain based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The PA Research Foundation (PARF) is an Australian Non for Profit Organization that raises funds for lifesaving research to develop better diagnoses and treatments for some of Australia’s biggest health challenges.
Pelotonia is an organization of events, centered around a two-day bicycle ride in the Columbus, Ohio area, to raise funds for cancer research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – The James. Pelotonia, the Ride, includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, Pelotonia facilitates all of riders' and fundraisers' donation money contributing to cancer research, while corporate and philanthropic partners fund the administrative staff and functions.
The London Bikeathon is London's largest annual charity cycling event with 5,000 riders taking part in 2012. The event first took place in 1997 and has been held every year since. The ride is the flagship fundraising event of the UK charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research who fund scientific research focused on finding causes and improving diagnosis and treatment for blood cancer patients.
Tour de Cure is an Australian charity that raises money to fund cancer research, support and prevention programs. It is located in Frenchs Forest, a suburb of Sydney. Tour de Cure organises cycling tours and fundraising events across Australia and also delivers programs promoting cancer prevention to Australian schools. Its major fundraising event is its Winter Snow Ball, which has been held since 2014.
The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is a fundraising bike-a-thon started in 1980 by Billy Starr to benefit the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute via the Jimmy Fund. It raises more money than any other single athletic fundraiser in the country.
Children's Cancer Research Fund is a not-for-profit organization focused on raising money to fund research for childhood cancer. In addition to funding research, they also provide support programs for families affected by cancer.