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Where Are They? »
- Group 1: Sears - Hope
- Group 2: Sears - Hope
- Group 3: Sears - Manning Park, BC
Schedule »
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*Gray Boxes Indicate Ride Along |
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All Groups |
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8:00 AM |
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9:45 AM |
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10:45 AM |
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12:00 PM |
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Group 1 |
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1:00 PM |
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4:00 PM |
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Group 2 |
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1:30 PM |
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3:00 PM |
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6:30 PM |
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Group 3 |
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1:30 PM |
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4:00 PM |
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7:30 PM |
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Day 1: June 13
Register for a Ride Along Event
As the caravan of National Riders, Volunteers, Sponsors, Organizers, Vehicles and Family and Friends made their way from UBC to Kitsilano Beach, in beautiful Vancouver to begin the 2009 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, I couldn’t help reflect on what it had taken us to get here. From the moment the inaugural Sears National Kids Cancer Ride ended in June of 2008 we began preparation for the 2009 event. Months of organizing, route preparation, media and marketing activities, sponsor presentations, logistics, not to mention countless weeks of recruiting and selecting our National Riders for 2009, followed by endless hours of training, all came down to this day and this moment on June 13, 2009.
Family and Friends
But all of that incredibly hard work by so many dedicated and selfless people became perfectly clear when we arrived at Kitsilano Beach for the opening ceremony. The family and friends that had come out to support us and cheer us on. The National Riders and Volunteers who have given up so much of their time and effort to join us today. And Canadians from coast to coast who are united in their support to end childhood cancer.
As we finished the press interviews, the time had come to start. The National Team walked down to the beach for our special ceremony. There, huddled together, we talked about the importance of the cause, and I told them how proud I was of their effort to get to this moment in time, of their commitment and dedication to the cause.
Around us stood Dedication Boards, dedicated to the spirit and hope of children and their families impacted by cancer. All of the National Riders then signed a 2009 Jersey, and we raised a toast of champagne and orange juice in celebration not just of the beginning of our Event, but the beginning of our quest to bring awareness and support to childhood cancer across Canada. We have 12 days to carry our message, so little time to accomplish so much, but with this team anything is possible. Then each of the team members reflected on why we were there and what commitments we wanted to make.
We wrote those commitments down on a large “in your hands” banner, symbolizing our responsibility and desire to unite and engage Canadians from coast to coast.
Showing Their Commitment
In a final emotional and symbolic gesture, we dipped our bike wheels into the ocean, to mark the beginning of our 7000km journey across Canada, a journey that will only finish when we dip our wheels once again in the ocean in Halifax. Terry Hoddinott, one of our National Riders spoke. Blind from cancer, he inspired us with some of the medical breakthroughs that are making a difference for those with cancer, and that we are helping to make possible through the money we raise.
Ready to Roll
And then we were off, on a beautiful crisp and sunny morning, with an accompanying police escort, cheers ringing in our ears from our friends and supporters all the way.
- On the Road with Jeff Rushton, Founder Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation
And They're Off!
Ambassador Child Megan McNeil at Coquitlam Shopping Centre - 10:30 AM
Other Photographs Photo Archive
Suiting Up
Riders, Volunteers, and Preparation
OUR AMBASSADORS
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