The Ride to Conquer Cancer presented by Silver Wheaton announces $7.1 million raised as 8th annual Ride commences in British Columbia

VANCOUVER: August 27, 2016 – The Ride to Conquer Cancer presented by Silver Wheaton announced 1,687 riders helped raise $7.1 million for the BC Cancer Foundation as the eighth annual Ride commenced in British Columbia on Saturday. Funds raised through BC's largest cycling fundraiser support breakthrough cancer research and innovations in care at the BC Cancer Agency.

Overwhelming support from the Ride to Conquer Cancer’s community of riders, donors, volunteers, crew members, and sponsors is advancing life-saving research for cancer patients in B.C.

“The experts we support at the BC Cancer Agency are recognized internationally for work in advancing research and innovations in care. Together, this passionate group of riders is fuelling breakthrough studies that offer new hope to patients,” said Sarah Roth, President and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation.

Over 26,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year in this province. With the $7.1 million raised, the BC Cancer Foundation will continue to ensure research teams at the BC Cancer Agency have the funds they need to improve treatment and the standard of care for patients and their families.

“The Ride is about bringing people together to make cancer a manageable and eventually curable disease in our lifetime,” Roth added.

In eight years, the Ride to Conquer Cancer raised over $77 million for the BC Cancer Foundation. The annual event draws thousands of participants and brings together communities of cancer survivors, cyclists and supporters who train and fundraise for months in order to participate in the two-day, 200km Ride between Vancouver and Seattle.

“I lost my father, a dedicated Ride participant and former captain of Team CRANKEN, at the young age of 59 in 2013 to stage three bladder cancer,” said Kluhane Leoppky, a six-time participant from Vancouver.

“I first got involved in the Ride with my father in 2010, the same year he was diagnosed. His participation in clinical trials at the BC Cancer Agency gave our family enough time to have one last visit with my dad. We are forever grateful for the outstanding options and care he received thanks to funds raised through the Ride. To this day, I participate on Team CRANKEN with a growing number of people, all of whom were impacted by my father’s life and legacy,” Leoppky added.

Silver Wheaton proudly became the presenting sponsor of the Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2014. The generous sponsorship allows dollars raised by Ride participants to directly support cancer programs at the BC Cancer Agency. Over 50 members of Silver Wheaton’s team, The Silver Bullets, have participated in the Ride over the past seven years and collectively raised over $919,000. The team is comprised of mining industry members, family, and friends who share the vision of a world free from cancer.

“Silver Wheaton is honoured to be the presenting sponsor of the 2016 Ride to Conquer Cancer and we congratulate our fellow riders for an outstanding effort, supporting breakthrough research at the BC Cancer Agency,” said Randy Smallwood, President and CEO of Silver Wheaton, and Captain of The Silver Bullets.

“I have been personally impacted by cancer along with thousands of BC residents, employees, friends, and family members, so completing the more than 200 kilometre cycling journey every year has become a mission for me and Silver Wheaton. We are proud to support the BC Cancer Agency and are dedicated to helping conquer this disease with the Ride community,” Smallwood added.

Organizers released the dates of August 26 and 27 for the 2017 Ride, and encouraged people of all athletic abilities to participate in the eighth annual Ride to Conquer Cancer.

"Register today at our re-registration tent, visit us online at www.conquercancer.ca or call us at (888) 771-BIKE,” Roth concluded.

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

 

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About the BC Cancer Foundation – click here
About the BC Cancer Agency – click here
Media Photos from Today – click here
 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Allison Colina
Director, Marketing & Communications
BC Cancer Foundation
604.707.5934
Allison.Colina@bccancer.bc.ca