Conquering cancer on two wheels

In my previous post I mentioned the BC Cancer Agency’s OVCARE team and the great work they’ve done to position themselves as one of the world’s leading ovarian cancer research teams. They’re not only conquering cancer in the lab, but they’re also doing it on two wheels.

With its many supporters, OVCARE has participated every year in The Ride to Conquer Cancer, and is one of the top fundraising teams. Over the past seven years they have raised more than $780,000, and are on track to reach an amazing $1 million dollars with this year’s event. Collectively, the Ride has raised more than $70 million for cancer research in B.C.

In addition to helping to fund OVCARE, The Ride has supported a number of other important research initiatives, which are revolutionizing how we detect and treat cancer. This includes Personalized Onco-Genomics, or POG program, immunotherapy research, pediatric genomic sequencing project, lymphoid cancer and breast cancer. Ride dollars have also helped fund vital equipment, so every researcher can quickly move ahead with innovative new ideas.

I am personally thrilled to be participating in my first Ride to Conquer Cancer. You could say that cycling is in my DNA. My grandfather was a photographer for a UK cycling magazine his entire career, and I am convinced he lived to 101 because he never owned a car and traveled everywhere by pedal. I went on my first cycling tour at the age of 16 and have been hooked ever since. As well, my master’s degree thesis at university was titled “The Bicycle’s Role in the Women’s Movement for Social Equality and Fashion Reform in Britain.” So, I am grateful to the many women cyclists before me who have paved the way for sensible cycling gear!

I am looking forward to meeting many of the riders, for whom this event means so much.

There are many ways you can support the Ride—be it as a rider, volunteer, or by making a financial contribution.

See you on the road,
Sarah