Author: Scott MacIntyre – Publish date: April 30, 2024.
As Maritimers, there’s a certain humility woven into the fabric of our communities – shying away from boasting about our accomplishments. But as we gear-up for the 10th annual BMO Ride for Cancer – Atlantic Canada’s largest cycling fundraiser – it’s time to set aside our modesty and celebrate the extraordinary impact and national prestige of this local, homegrown event.
BMO Ride for Cancer just hit a major milestone, receiving national recognition as the #5 peer-to-peer cycling event in all of Canada. This is the first and only event in Atlantic Canada to make this list, which is part of the esteemed 2023 Canadian Top 30 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Programs List. This accomplishment is further compounded by BMO Ride for Cancer surpassing more than $10.3 million net raised since the event’s inception in 2015, transforming local cancer care.
I’ve had the privilege of being a part of BMO Ride since the very beginning as a volunteer chair, co-chair, team captain, event participant and more. This event, which started with just 130 riders raising $170,000 net in its inaugural year, has grown into a formidable force for good – rallying over 1,300 participants to raise an astonishing $2.3 million net for cancer care in 2023.
Watching the exponential growth of BMO Ride for Cancer over the past decade has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. What began as a modest bike ride with cycling enthusiasts has evolved into a powerful movement, uniting our community in a shared mission to combat cancer.
But beyond the numbers and accolades, the true magic of BMO Ride lies in its deeply personal impact. All funds raised here, stay here – funding cancer-fighting equipment, technology and spaces at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. While other events may support causes and research in distant provinces, the funds raised by our BMO Ride participants directly benefit our local community – impacting the cancer care and treatment journeys of our loved ones and friends.
Year after year, our participants, donors, sponsors and volunteers continue to step up for cancer patients and their families. Their unwavering commitment is the backbone and heart of this event.
Let’s brag and celebrate not only the incredible milestones we’ve reached but also the countless lives that have been touched and transformed by this event. And as we set our sights on the biggest BMO Ride our region has ever seen, let’s recommit ourselves to the fight against cancer – knowing that, together, we can make a tangible difference and impact right here at home.
Scott MacIntyre is volunteer co-chair of BMO Ride for Cancer and VP of Technology Sales for Office Interiors
~BMO Ride for Cancer is hosted by the QEII Foundation
