Ordinary cyclists climb epic heights in 9th annual Ride2Survive

20 June 2013

Vancouver, BC -

This Saturday, June 22, 90 determined cyclists will be at the starting line of an incredible journey covering 400 kilometres and climbing 12,000 feet – all in one day. These ordinary people participating in the Ride2Survive are working together to achieve something extraordinary: to raise half a million dollars this year towards derailing cancer forever. 

They start the ride together at 3:30 a.m. in Kelowna and cross the finish line, together, at approximately 10:00 p.m. in Delta. Since February, the group has been riding and training in all kinds of weather, working towards having the energy and stamina to keep up with the pack on the gruelling climb up the Coquihalla highway’s many peaks.

“Every year we’re blown away by the commitment of the riders, their dedication to overcoming the daunting physical aspects of the ride and particularly the personal experiences that have compelled them to do the ride in the first place,” says Kerry Kunzli, one half of the husband and wife duo who have organized the event since 2005. “It’s not just about completing the physical ride; the participants are each expected to fundraise too, which can also be challenging.”

Several participants have raised more than $20,000 each, every penny of which goes directly towards cancer research funded by the Canadian Cancer Society. Since the inaugural event in 2005, Ride2Survive has raised more than $2 million and counting.

Ride2Survive is an annual fundraising event benefiting the Canadian Cancer Society. Fundraisers, like the Kunzlis, invest their time, energy and occasionally even their own money to fundraise for the Society. Sometimes they are cancer survivors; sometimes they have lost a loved one to cancer; but every time, they are passionate about making a difference in the fight against cancer and their efforts make a significant impact to the work done by the Society.

“Fighting cancer is an all-hands-on-deck battle and it’s events like these that really show the depth of our collective commitment to that fight,” says Ron Kuehl, Vice President, Revenue Development, Canadian Cancer Society. “We are honoured to be the beneficiary of Ride2Survive. Their efforts will help fund some of the best cancer research in the country, which is something we all can be proud of.” 

For 75 years, the Canadian Cancer Society has been with Canadians in the fight for life. The Society is a national community-based organization whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer.  

Ride2Survive map link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=206112373527528250154.000488c5df9e7cdca2e6f&msa=0&ll=49.61071,-121.26709&spn=3.374541,9.84375 

For more information visit ride2survive.ca or contact: 

Heidi Nyline
Media Relations, Ride2Survive (onsite during ride)
604-315-9643 (cell)
heidi@warline.ca 

Gina Ungaro
Coordinator, Media Relations and Marketing, Canadian Cancer Society, BC & Yukon
604-675-7335 / 604-313-8097 (cell)
gungaro@bc.cancer.ca

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.