Cyclists keep wheels turning on the 401 to benefit pediatric cancer care

From August 11 to 13, 2010, 24 brave cyclists will embark on an endurance bike ride from Toronto to Montreal to give children with cancer—and their families—the hope, care and treatment they deserve.

Six years ago, inspired by his wife Angie’s battle with cancer and in gratitude for the health of his children, CIBC Wood Gundy Investment Advisor Gene Piccoli decided to launch an initiative to support children with cancer. He chose to partner with The Sarah Cook Fund after hearing the story of Sarah Cook—a young girl in his community who was fundraising for The Montreal Children’s Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre after being treated there for Ewing’s Sarcoma at the age of eight. Now 17, Sarah is once again battling this terrible disease, making this year’s ride even more important to Gene.

Through The Sarah Cook Fund of the Cedars Cancer Institute, funds raised from the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge (CIBC 401) will support the Haematology/Oncology divisions of both The Montreal Children’s Hospital (The Children’s) and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto.

“It is the generosity of our donors and the incredible commitment of our supporters such as Gene and Angie Piccoli and the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge that allows our family, Sarah’s Fund and the Cedars Cancer Institute to forge ahead with our vision for a future without cancer,” say Norman and Lorena Cook, Sarah’s parents and Co-chairs of The Sarah Cook Fund.   

Now in its sixth year, the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge has been a growing success, raising over $240,000 for children’s cancer since its inception.

“Each and every year the ride proves to be more enjoyable and even more rewarding,” says Gene Piccoli, Event Chair of the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge. “Thanks to CIBC’s three-year commitment, our partners, the hundreds of donors and the increasing number of cyclists taking part in this annual journey, we will continue to make a positive and vital impact on pediatric oncology.” 

VIA Rail Canada is providing one-way transportation to Toronto for the riders and crew members so they can rest up for the journey ahead of them. The CIBC 401 Team will depart SickKids in Toronto on Wednesday, August 11 at 9:30 a.m. Dr. Victor Blanchette, Chief of Haematology/Oncology at SickKids and Mr. Gerry McCaughey, President and CEO of CIBC, will be present to send the riders off. Gene Piccoli will lead the official CIBC 401 Team and the first group of Friends of the CIBC 401 accompanying the team to Oshawa. 

On Day 1, the group of cyclists will be lunching at City Hall in Port Hope and overnighting in Belleville after covering 190 km. Day 2 will be the most daunting leg with the riders pedalling 255 km. The cyclists will hit the road by 7:00 a.m., travel through Kingston, lunch in a park on the Thousand Island Parkway, and make their way through Brockville to arrive in Cornwall by sundown.   

An early start in Cornwall on Day 3 will bring the CIBC 401 Team to Cunningham’s Pub in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue at 10:30 a.m., where they will be joined by the second group of Friends of the CIBC 401, who will cycle with them on the final leg to The Children’s. Among the Friends of the CIBC 401 is Cody Belliveau, a 16-year-old leukemia survivor who was treated on Sarah’s Floor. Cody will join his uncle, Tom Belliveau, who is taking part in the entire ride. Together, they will cycle the final distance to Montreal.

“Teenagers such as Cody and Sarah, as well as everyone involved in the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge, are truly inspirational,” adds the Hon. Arthur T. Porter, Director General and CEO of the McGill University Health Centre. “With group efforts such as this one, we have the support to continue making significant advances towards our goal of The Best Care for Life. Thank you!”

Please see below for the complete itinerary. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit: www.401bikechallenge.ca

Friends, family and supporters are invited to join in the arrival festivities on the lawn of The Children’s at the corner of Lambert-Closse and René-Lévesque at 12:00 p.m. Lunch will be served by chefs of the Tuck Shop in Montreal and musical entertainment provided by the 6 o’clock trio. Dr. Blair Whittemore, Interim Director of the Hematology/Oncology division at The Children’s will be just one of the special guests on hand to welcome the cyclists and receive the cheque from the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge Team.  Friends, family members and the general public are also encouraged to support the ride and join the CIBC 401 cyclists at the departure (Toronto) and arrival (Montreal) celebrations to keep the wheels turning on this exciting and important fundraising event.

The Sarah Cook Fund of the Cedars Cancer Institute (www.sarahcookfund.com) supports the Haematology/Oncology division at The Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH). The Sarah Cook Fund was started in 2001 by Sarah Cook, an eight–year-old battling Ewing’s Sarcoma who was determined to buy new pillows and make it a little easier for the other children on the floor. Sarah’s Fund gained momentum and continues to support the efforts of the professionals who make a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of children and their families every year. The Fund addresses the pressing needs of Sarah’s Floor, the in-patient Haematology/Oncology division at The Montreal Children's Hospital with positive results including: renovations and upgrades of Sarah's Floor; development and support of art therapy; providing humanitarian resources through Sarah’s Fund for Families; participation in the acquisition of the first Intraoperative MRI in Canada at a pediatric hospital, an invaluable tool in the care and treatment of children with brain tumours; continuing education for nurses; and much more. 

Proceeds from the CIBC 401 will support moving Sarah's Floor to the new Montreal Children’s Hospital at the Glen Campus, as well as the pressing needs of the Hematology/Oncology divisions of both The Children’s in Montreal and SickKids in Toronto.

DEPARTURE FROM SICKKIDS IN TORONTO:
Date:                Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Time:       8:30 – 9:00 a.m. (approximately); brief remarks, followed by riders’ departure

Location:   SickKids front lawn, 555 University Ave.

Contact:    Sandra Chiovitti, Public Affairs, SickKids Foundation

                p: 416 813-8292,  bb: 416 553-419, sandra [dot] chiovitti [at] sickkidsfoundation [dot] com

ARRIVAL AT THE MONTREAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Date:                Friday, August 13, 2010

Time:       12:30 p.m. (approximately)

Location    The Montreal Children’s Hospital, corner of Lambert-Closse & René-Lévesque

Contact:    Nancy Théberge, The Sarah Cook Fund                     
                514 934-1934 x 71241, nancy [dot] theberge [at] muhc [dot] mcgill [dot] ca