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Celebrity cyclists kick BC Cancer Foundation’s Westside Cycling Classic into high gear - $131,000 raised
Axel Merckx, Trevor Linden, Ross Rebagliati, Alex Stieda and friends led fans and fundraisers in community event to support research at BC Cancer Agency
June 2, 2008, Vancouver - The BC Cancer Foundation’s Westside Cycling Classic, presented by the Airey Group, started with an audible “bang” Sunday afternoon, when honorary event chair Premier Gordon Campbell provided the sound effects of a missing-in-action starting gun.
Vancouver Canucks’ hero Trevor Linden, cycling great Axel Merckx,, Tour de France veteran Alex Stieda, and Olympians Ross Rebagliati and Derek Porter led more than a hundred cyclists in a 36km-community ride through Vancouver’s scenic Westside, and collectively raised $131,000 for research at the BC Cancer Agency.
The event sponsors, including the The Airey Group, Haywood Securities and Volkswagen, covered all event expenses, making sure that all the funds raised by the riders will be used to further the Agency’s world-renowned research.
“It’s an opportunity to get out into the community and raise some very important dollars for the BC Cancer Foundation to fund BC Cancer Agency research, to prevent cancer and help save lives. It’s not only an enjoyable day; it’s serving a great cause,” Linden said.
“When you have someone close to you touched by cancer, you really want to contribute towards finding a cure,” added Merckx, whose mother-in-law has experienced the disease.
Premier Campbell, BC Cancer Agency President Dr. Simon Sutcliffe and BC Cancer Foundation Sr. Vice–President Nick Locke congratulated the participants, including top fundraiser Andrew Gregory, a testicular cancer survivor who won an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2008 Tour de France.
Locke also thanked the many local residents who enthusiastically cheered on the riders, lined up for autographs from the celebrity athletes and enjoyed the street-festival atmosphere. Locke said he hopes to make the Westside Cycling Classic an annual community event.
The BC Cancer Foundation, established in 1935, raises funds to support research and enhancements to care at the BC Cancer Agency, throughout B.C. All funds raised remain in B.C.
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For information:
Judy Hamill, Communications Officer,
BC Cancer Foundation: 604 707 5934, cell 604 802 6984
jhamill@bccancer.bc.ca
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