An 'Inside Ride' to support children with cancer

With two feet and a heartbeat, the Dalhousie community is cycling for change this weekend on behalf of children plagued with cancer or brain tumours.

Luckily, participants won’t have to venture too far away from the familiar sights of campus – their cause may be going places, but their bikes are quite stationary.

This Sunday, September 11, the Dalhousie Commerce Society and the IWK Health Centre are partnering together to raise money for children’s oncology. The goal is to support children ages 7 to 15 living with cancer or brain tumours to attend Camp GoodTime for a week of fun activities like canoeing, sailing, and arts and crafts. The fundraiser is part of Coast to Coast against Cancer Foundation’s National Inside Ride Tour.

25 bikes, 16 teams

Beginning Sunday morning, 25 stationary bikes will be delivered to the Kenneth C Rowe Building atrium where 16 teams of students, faculty, community members, and local business members will cycle in five to ten minute intervals between 12 and 2 p.m.

Each team of six is asked to raise $1,000 ($170 per person). While the event is not a competition, organizer Veronica Baker says there will be awards for best costume, top fundraiser and most miles.

Ms. Baker, a fourth-year commerce student, is this year’s vice-president external relations for the Dalhousie Commerce Society and says the event is a great way for the community to get involved in a meaningful fundraiser.

“Because our two largest sponsors, New York Fries and LG, are covering most of the costs, 100 per cent of the money raised goes back to the children,” she explains. 

Local orgs doing their part

Among the local businesses participating are PepsiCo, Pogue Fado/Molson Canadian, Kids & Company, Grant Thornton, Investors Group, lululemon and New York Fries. Ms. Baker is confident enough money will be raised to make a significant difference in the lives on children living with cancer or brain tumours.

“I’m hoping we can raise between $10,000 and $15,000,” she says. “I also hope that the fundraiser continues on into next year and that the number of participants grows with it. This is a really great fundraiser and thanks to all our sponsors, a really affordable way to give back.”

From Dal, participants include teams from the Dal Commerce Society, the Faculty of Management Dean's Suite and the MBA program.

Ms. Baker says that anyone interested in attending is encouraged to come out and support the cyclists. There will also be an opportunity to donate money to the National Inside Ride Tour.