Wow. Wow.

What a day! Day 16 of this 7,000 km cycling adventure from Vancouver to Halifax saw the National Team start with a spiritual send off and an incredibly picturesque 100 km ride out to Peggy’s Cover before cycling back to an amazing welcome by Sears Halifax and the IWK Hospital.

From there the team made an emotional ride down to the finish at beautiful Point Pleasant Park in Halifax with a toast and medal presentation for all they have accomplished in these short two weeks. Each of the national riders and volunteers then signed a banner with their personal messages of support for the 10,000 kids and their families living with and beyond the impacts of kids cancer. Reading those messages and seeing the smiles on the team’s faces truly grounds you on what can be accomplished with a few like minded people who want to make a difference. What a powerful ending to a powerful event.

At night the national team with families, friends, and some of our incredible sponsors came together for a celebration dinner and the sounds of our friends Larry and Tracey who played some amazing Highland music. For Larry whose daughter survived childhood cancer it was yet another example of how this event has an uncanny ability to connect people impacted by kids cancer.

REFLECTING ON A TRULY INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

Covering 7,000 kms and over 150 rest stops in communities and Sears stores across Canada this year’s 16 day Sears National Kids Cancer Ride seemed to me even more special than normal. Here is a little video summary of adventure.

One day after the event ended I am still processing why this event impacted me so much but I think it mainly centres around the team we had and the “connections” that team and this event where able to make.

The amazing team of national & local volunteers, riders and sponsors quite simply were beyond anything I have ever seen. Always there, always asking how they can help, and always smiling; it was truly grounding on the power of the human spirit to help others. A special thanks and call out to Sears, to the hundreds of volunteers at the over 150 rest stops, and to the national volunteers & our incredible Foundation Team led by Mike Smith and Sharon Andres who made this event happen. Take a second to see this photo reel of our amazing national team who supported and made the event happen. What a truly amazing team of people.

The other aspect that made this event so emotional for me was the connections it seemed to make to the cause of kids cancer. Now in its 4th year it seems the word of why this cause is so important is finally getting out through the connections the event does across its 7,000 km distance. Connections like those with thousands of Sears employees and communities across the country.

Connections like those between the riders and volunteers who truly operated as ONE TEAM united in a common cause to make a meaningful difference in the lives of kids dealing with cancer.

Connections like those between the Foundation’s incredible ambassador kids and families we met along the way who were dealing with this disease. And connections we are making across the amazing country with other organizations like ours who exist for one reason and one reason only: to make a meaningful and sustainable difference in the life outcomes of kids living with and beyond cancer.

Words cannot even begin to explain how grateful we are at the Foundation for everyone and each organization who made this year’s event such a success. From the bottom of our hearts a huge thank you to all of you who made this event happen.

SO WHERE FROM HERE?

As we told the national team last night this one event, this one trip is over but our journey must continue.

We will never stop while parents still hear the words “Your kid has cancer”

We will never stop until kids no longer have to endure radiation, or chemotherapy or surgery to deal with cancer and its after effects.

And quite frankly we will never stop until we find a cure and get to our destination, a Destination Beyond Cancer.

People ask what is next and what they can do to help. To that I give a simple answer.

- we will continue to operate AND expand events like the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, Tour for Kids, the Inside Ride and other events to raise sustainable funds for kids cancer research, survivorship and family support programs.

- we will continue to operate our Foundation with a model of giving 100% of charitable receipted dollars by covering costs through volunteers, event registration fees and the support of our corporate sponsors.

- and we will continue our efforts to expand connections to people who want to help us with our mission by asking them to:

- volunteer throughout the year to our cause

- introduce us to new corporate sponsors who can help us with financial donations or in kind services

- participate in our events as volunteers or riders

- and just as important tell others what we stand for and the importance of this cause.

I sign off as I signed off at last nights closing event as a very humbled and very honored person to have the opportunity to meet such as amazing team of people who just want to make a difference in these kids lives.

Feel the love

Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation
PO Box 17, 20 Queen St. W, Toronto ON M5H 3R3
Char #: 8282 52346 RR0001

Join us. Make a Difference. Participate. Volunteer. Donation.

Find out more at www.ctcacf.org

16 Days, 1,700 Kilmoters, over 100 incredible national riders and volunteers – The 2011 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride is in the bag! All in support of the kids living with and beyond cancer! Truly a remarkable job by a remarkable team! More pictures will be posted soon!

We entered Quebec today! We met Louis Garneau today (creator of our rider clothing!) and Louis Garneau speaking to both teams. Rolling along and we’re getting closer!

Levis to Moncton

Moncton to Charlottetown

Quebec: Day 12 – 14

Montreal – Quebec City

Passing Spanish

Cheers all day long

From the Blogs

Here are some more great snippets from the rider and volunteer blogs:

• Dance s not nearly as complicated as bounce. Dance is about, well, dancing. Dancing like nobody’s watching. Dance is a Christmas picture that hangs in our kitchen year round. Read more of Patrick Sullivan’s blog post
• Through my association with Muskoka Woods I have come to know Bob Groves, the father of a great young man Jamie Groves. Today team 2 dedicated our ride to Jamie Groves, his hockey jersey number 15 and the Groves Family. Read more of Neil Mitchell’s blog post
• A 5.45 wake up for myself and the 20 bunk mates in the truck. We stumbled across the parking lot and descended on the local breakfast place for eggs sausage etc. Read more of Ian Struthers’s blog post

Team One let Neil join them for breakfast. We got to meet some people in Hudson, who loved the cause and made donations and always great to see neices and nephews along the way as Heather and Egbert Jager met some family…

Ottawa to Montreal

AMAZING FOOTAGE FROM OUR DAY OF ACTION IN TORONTO

SNKCR in Barrie

Beautiful Song in Sherway

SNKCR arriving in Dundas Square

SNKCR Toronto

Toronto SNKCR 2011

SNKCR Toronto – Jeff Rusthon

Dundas Square Toronto – Ambassador

Inside Ride – Dundas Square Toronto

HTO Park – Jenn Davies

HTO Park – Toronto

HTO Park – Loraine Fedosoff

From the Blogs

Here are some more great snippets from the rider and volunteer blogs:

• Teamwork: That’s M. Louis Garneau himself (in yellow) helping push the tandem over the crest of a 13% grade. A proud moment for all the National Riders. Read more of Glen Way’s blog post
• he Story of Possibility. After a somewhat perilous ride into the city of Montreal with minimal Sunday night traffic, we decided as a Team that getting out on a busy Monday morning was safer by RV than bicycle. Read more of Glen Way’s blog post
• At Vancouver, the riders and crew were asked to work on a team charter. One of the goals that we set for ourselves was to change stories for children diagnosed with cancer. This morning Glen dedicated our ride to Sarah Smith and to changing stories. Read more of Heather Jager’s blog post
• Today started off really healthy with a breakfast filled with fruits and veggies and even yogurt. It then went all downhill from there; poutine, chips, chocolate, amazing home cooking, there was no stopping the crew today from filling their bellies. Thank you to everyone at the Sears location for your amazing support and food! Read more of Jessica Douglas’ blog post

We’re still rolling along here – 12 days in and so many stories to tell and so many hearts touched. In Montreal now and getting closer to the finish and hopefully closer to a destination beyond cancer!

Pickering to Ottawa

Ottawa to Montreal

Days 8 – 11 – Through Mark’s Eyes

Ottawa through Wendy, our Ottawa volunteer’s eyes

Footage of Riding uphill

Mike Smith speaking about Sierra’s story

Terri Dermo and Mark Geene – powerhouse couple and why they ride

Incredible work as usual by our Content Team: Jess, Egbert and Mark!

From the Blogs

Here are some more great snippets from the rider and volunteer blogs:

• Day 6, my final day, riding from Barrie to Toronto.

  It is a day that starts with mixed emotion, only a few days ago I was being introduced to mainly strangers, now I am sad to be leaving friends. Read more of Craig Campbell’s blog post

• It was great to have 4 members of the Heavy Rollers meet me in Burlington on Friday Sept 16 for the ride into Toronto. They wanted to see my accomodations and piece of foam I have been sleeping on. Read more of Neil Mitchell’s blog post
• Ulana reflecting in front of Marisa’s story board. Marisa was a Coast To Coast Ambassador and passed away last year. Read more of Josh Nelson’s blog post
• Today started off really healthy with a breakfast filled with fruits and veggies and even yogurt. It then went all downhill from there; poutine, chips, chocolate, amazing home cooking, there was no stopping the crew today from filling their bellies. Thank you to everyone at the Sears location for your amazing support and food! Read more of Jessica Douglas’ blog post

Here’s an excerpt from a Sears’ Store:
“The day of the ride for me was amazingly exciting. Doing the ride breakfast at Sears Langley and then the lunch at Sears Abbotsford made for a full day. I had to “race” the riders, right after they mounted their bikes in Langley I jumped in my car and drove very quickly to Abbotsford. What was wonderful was that the enthusiasm that I witnessed from the riders in Langley was still in evidence in Abbotsford, even after that bike ride. The riders had huge smiles and so did the Seniors Square Dance club, “The Grand Squares” who again taught the riders how to square dance. This was an amazing event and I look forward to it again next year.”

thank you Sears Stores!!

Toronto / Ottawa

Heading for Toronto with Group 1 and alumni / ride

Team One heaing for Sudbury scary road

Thank you for the photos by Egbert, Mark and Jess!

From the Blogs

Here are some more great snippets from the rider and volunteer blogs:

• This morning in Pickering didn’t seem all that different from the others. Wake up early in the bunk truck, stumble into the Sears store for the morning washroom routine, and then off to a staff room in some hidden corner of the store for a plentiful breakfast prepared by a bright-eyed and cheerful crew of cheerful Sears associates. Read more of Heather Jager’s blog post
• Day 11 started with a dedication to Madeline. Madeline was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2006 when she was 6 years old. She underwent several surgeries and chemo, and she is a happy, active, cancer free little girl today. We love to hear the stories of survivors – however there are still children with cancer who do not survive. This is the reality, and this is why we ride. I haven’t checked where we are as a group but I know we are close! Read more of Terri Dermo’s blog post
• my husband has been so supportive of me through out this entire process. he bought a bike so he could train with me all summer long. i was so happy he was able to particpate in the ride along from barrie to toronto. thank you for all of your support hunny i couldnt have done it with out you. see you in halifax! Read more of Christine Cairns’s blog post

The Riders made an unscheduled stop yesterday. They were asked at the last minute if they could come to a Reserve and talk to a group of kids. Usually the scheduling is so tight that this would have to be a no go, and it is tight, but for this time they said yes. So a small group went and the kids were so impressed with Josh! It meant so much to this small community. The rider’s too were very much honored to be asked to go.

That’s one of the things I love about this charity is that it reaches out to small communities who would otherwise be looked over. Cancer doesn’t discriminate.. it has hit this community as well and to have someone from outside come and spend time is something they will remember for a long time!

Thanks guys!

Thessalon, Ontario

Riding Footage!

Thank you for the photos by Egbert, Mark and Jess!

From the Blogs

Here are some more great snippets from the rider and volunteer blogs:

• This place (Terry Fox Memorial) evokes immediate feelings – many stood quietly, hugged, shed tears, recalled families members and friends who have lost their battle or are battling cancer. We gathered around Mike Smith who shared the significance and importance of Terry Fox and why we ride. Read more of Neil Mitchell’s blog post
• Today we ride for Quinn and the far too many untold stories across Canada. Children fighting to live life, parents desparately searching, seeking, praying and drying for help. Scientists digging deep to research and identify genes and thrapise to extend and save lives. Doctors developing and delivering therapise and protocols. Nurses on the front lines administering medication, providing hope and love to children in the midst of pain and exhaustion. Read more of Neil Mitchell’s blog post
• Who is CTCACF and What Do We Do? Read more of Len Pace’s blog post

In the News..

A young boy remembers his older brother
Media Advisory – Sears National Kids Cancer Ride Cyclists Riding Across Canada to Help Fight Kids Cancer Arrive in Toronto Friday, September 16
Cyclist keeps riding to help kids with cancer
Coast to coast for cancer
For all the latest in SNKCR news, click here

We’re about half way through! The teams are now about half way through. They have gone through a lot together and have eased into working as a team. Driving across Canada you have to work really well together. There have been a couple of accidents and the riders were taken care of quickly by the medics and back on the road the next day.

Behind the scenes we are confirming all the stops and making sure all the maps and information is ready for the second leg of the ride.

Some riders have left and others have joined. They are all enduring the hardships of road life and the bonding that goes with it as well. Lots of good memories and stories to be shared!

The weather has been pretty good, just a few winds and cross breezes in the way. So let’s hope it stays that way and the only winds are behind them pushing them along!

Thunder Bay to Sault Ste Marie

Terry Fox/ Red Rock Indian Community Centre

Incredible photos by Egbert, Mark and Jess!

From the Blogs

Here are some more great snippets from the rider and volunteer blogs:

• The team today has jelled really well together. We had some new riders join in, and very quickly they started to form their lines and look like a well oiled machine, working together. Hand signals are seen for great communication and safety on the roads. No one wants to be at the back of the pack with a stick or large stone in the way and not know about it. (Great job working together guys) Read more of Josh Nelson’s blog post
• There was also a road running race going on so many people became aware of SNKCR and the coast to coast foundation. The sun was shinning, the riders felt good as we headed out. Read more of Mark Geene’s blog post
• Off to the Terry Fox Memorial – WOW – That was incredibly overwhelming – For those of you that do not know what I am referring to – There is a Terry Fox Monument up the top of one of the hills in Thunder Bay – we rode our bikes up into the area – trees on either side of the road led us up an archway of green into the beautiful space – as we overlook LaKe Superior we see this beautiful statue of Terry Fox Read more of Kathryn Featherstone’s blog post
• I still find it surprising the “secrecy” around childhood cancer but for whatever reason a stigma of sorts remains. Interesting that today was the day we saw the Terry Fox memorial as he was largely responsible for getting people to talk about cancer. Hopefully by sharing our stories it will be easier for others to do the same. Read more of Glen Way’s blog post
• Today we ride for Sarah. In 2006, Sarah was having severe headaches. Her parents took her to the hospital where it was discovered she had a brain tumour that was 11 cm’s wide. The tumour was removed, however there were many complications. In 2010, Sarah passed away. Read more of Terri Dermo’s blog post

In the News..

Cyclist wants cancer beaten
Investment manager to get on his bike for kids with cancer
For all the latest in SNKCR news, click here