Wife inspires County man to bike 1,000km to help children fight cancer

Milford’s Don Ross is ready to roll to raise funds for SIckKids Hospital

As he trains to ride 1,000 kms on his bicycle to raise more money for the Hospital for Sick Children, (SickKids) Milford’s Don Ross gets inspiration from his wife, Heather.

Ross is riding for Heather in this year’s 6th annual Great Cycle Challenge Canada, and they’re hoping to raise $3,500 during August to help children fight cancer.

“This is the fifth time I have participated in the Great Cycle Challenge,” said Don Ross. “During those years, I rode 8,150 kilometres and raised $10,091.08.”

Heather and Don Ross

He notes he and his wife sometimes see children fighting cancer while they are at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Toronto Western where Heather has been receiving ongoing care for metastatic breast cancer.

“We’re so grateful for the life-saving research being done there and for the care and treatment she receives at UHN and at BGH Oncology in Belleville,” said Ross, noting the funds raised from the ride helps the SickKids Foundation continue its work in developing treatments and finding a cure for childhood cancer.

His wife, he notes, “continues to set an amazing example for all our family and anyone who knows her with how she lives her life each and every day. She has managed all the challenges of breast cancer since 1999 and Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer since 2011 in a dignified way that gives great hope and cheer to others. Her toughness is beyond measure and there is no quit in her character.”

Fundraising is happening from now until into the fall, although the official month of recorded rides is August.

The Great Cycle Challenge Canada encourages cyclists across Canada to challenge themselves and set their own personal riding goal throughout August to fight kids’ cancer.

Founded in 2016, the event has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in the country. In just five years, more than 100,000 riders from all provinces and territories have ridden 15.4 million kilometres, raising more than $21.7 million for research, care and the development of better treatments and cures for childhood cancer.

This year, SickKids Foundation hopes more than 30,000 riders will take part to support of children battling cancer.

“Cancer is the largest killer of Canadian children from disease and over 1,400 Canadian children are diagnosed with cancer every year,” said Jamie Lamont, Director of Special Events at SickKids Foundation. “Thanks to riders like Don, we’re fueling groundbreaking research to save lives and give kids the brighter future they deserve.”

To be a sponsor of Don’s journey, visit  greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/DonRoss. To participate in Great Cycle Challenge Canada, visit GreatCycleChallenge.ca.

The SickKids Foundation, established in 1972, raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) on of the world’s foremost paediatric health-care institutions and the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada.