Alberta's economy hits Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, but millions still raised

Alberta's economy hits Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, but millions still raised

Alberta’s faltering economy is the main culprit behind the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer hitting historic lows in money raised and participants, organizers say.

 

The event, in its eighth year, managed to raise $6.3 million by the time cyclists hit the road Saturday morning, down some $1.5 million from just one year ago.

Alongside the reduced fundraising haul, the number of riders was also significantly down. The 2016 edition saw 1,402 people pedal for the cause, about 300 fewer than the previous year, and by far the lowest total in the event’s history.

Myka Osinchuk, CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation, said she knows it’s a tough time for a lot of Albertans, but is thankful people across the province have big hearts, and were willing to dig deep.

“We are just as subject to the economy as everybody else,” she said.

“One thing we do know is that cancer doesn’t care if the price of oil is low, or the economy is bad.”

However, despite the year over year numbers hitting an historic low, the ride managed to reach a milestone, with $60 million total being raised since the initial race in 2009.

Osinchuk said she is never really surprised by the generosity of Albertans, nor is she shocked at the hundreds willing to saddle up every year for the ride.

“They’re not statistics, they’re our friends, our family. It’s something that people want to help fight,” she said.

“They’re happy to be here, because a little hill is nothing compared to a cancer journey.”

A total of 14,330 riders have taken the 200 km ride over the last eight years.

The return trip from Okotoks, while daunting, is taken on by both amateur and battle ready cyclists alike, with all proceeds going to the Alberta Cancer Care Foundation for research, clinic trials and enhanced care at Calgary’s Tom Baker Cancer Centre and 16 other cancer facilities across Alberta.

إبراهيم زكاغ

مدون وأحب القراءة وكل جديد التكنولوجيا والإنترنت . إنشاء فولفولي جاء من الرغبة في مشاركة تجربتي المتواضعة ولأكون مساهما ولو بالقليل في محتوى الإنترنت.

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