2016 marks the fifth year of the annual 7 Days in May cycling event, where participants spend 7 days riding around Lake Ontario in order to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer and provide research funding to help find a cure.
In preparation for the main event scheduled to begin May 28, Pastor Mathew Bradbury of Pelham Friends Church in Fonthill will be hosting the third annual family friendly ride on May 7. Called 7 K’s in May, the ride is meant to be a shorter, fun ride for the many dedicated supporters who may be unable to participate in the main event, but who still want to help make a difference.
“People can feel like they are participating in the fundraising without having to do these huge 150km+ days,” he explained. “This is for everybody. They can participate, they can fundraise, they can learn about pancreatic cancer and what’s going on.”
Building off the success of last year’s ride which offered a 10km casual loop and a more challenging 68km route through Pelham’s pronounced elevations, this year’s event is developing further, offering riders 7km, 30km, and 60km options, as well some other interesting opportunities.
“Because we’re doing a much more diversified ride for families, we’re going to have ride support out there,” said Bradbury. “And we are going to do a bicycle drive, where a non-profit organization will take donated bikes, and work with people to make them into something usable.”
The ride will begin and end at Pelham Friends Church, 940 Haist Street. Participants will also get a t-shirt and a light lunch.
This year, riders can also create their own fundraising page online, which can be readily linked to social media to help them get the word out to friends, family, and supporters. The money raised goes to support the NCIC Clinical Trials Group in Kingston, Ontario who have included Canada in an important clinical trial that is targeted at significantly improving the survival odds for pancreatic cancer patients that are eligible for surgery.
For more details about the event, or to Register for either ride, visit 7daysinmay.com/family-ride, or email Mathew Bradbury at [email protected]
