By Prina Atwal

Tour De Cure

The largest cycling fundraiser to power cancer research

Mar 25, 2021 | 2:25 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — The British Columbia Cancer Foundation will be giving a new approach to its Ride to Conquer Cancer this year.

The event will be called Tour De Cure, and is a cycling challenge for individuals across British Columbia.

“They will be setting their own distance goals to achieve, but the one that will be highlighted and featured is the 100 kilometer distance, as they’ll use it as an opportunity to fundraise for cancer research here in BC, says the BC Cancer foundation, Executive Director, Lindsay Carswell.

Carswell adds that the event will be looking different this year, as a mass gathering is not an option.

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“The major difference is that people will be able to participate in this event remotely throughout the province.”

Despite the changes, a lot of people are expected to take part.

“It’s only been live for a day, we have over 2000 committed to participate and growing. There is really no capacity, but why don’t we just say a few thousand [participants],” says Carswell.

Carswell adds that the City of Prince George has always hit above its weight.

“It truly is amazing to see the fundraising efforts that come from that community, and to know that a lot of the fruits of that labor are seen in that community, with the funding of research that’s taking place right there at the center of the north.”

Carswell says its hard to put a limit on what Prince George participants are capable of, but he says six figures is within reach.

Donations to support the rider of your choice can be made through tourdecure.ca

But for a Prince George participant, the event is more than just a challenge.

“The ride actually takes on a significant meaning for me . . . I’m participating because I lost a really good friend to cancer, and I really wanted to do something to honor her,. . .” says the captain and founder of Wheelin’ Warriors of the North, Karin Piche.

Piche says her team consists of 85 members, and they will all be riding together.

“Normally we would’ve been riding from Vancouver to Hope B.C., which was about 250 kilometers over two days. . . this year we’re being encouraged to ride in our own communities, and it will be a one day ride versus the two.”

Piche adds that each registered participant is being asked to raise a minimum of $1000, which is less than the $2500 that was asked to raise, in order to participate the year before.

The Tour De Cure teams have started collecting donations, but the one day event will take place on August 28.