June 3/14 11:44 am - Becel Heart & Stroke Ride Raises $6 Million

Posted by Editoress on 06/3/14
 

On Sunday, June 1st, cyclists in Toronto had something to celebrate. 14,000 of them enthusiastically participated in the Heart and Stroke Foundation's 27th Annual Becel Heart&Stroke Ride for Heart. And this year, participants worked hard to push their fundraising efforts to raise the most money ever - $6 million. (The 2013 total was $5.5 million.) The pleasure of pedaling along a traffic-free Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway was matched only by the satisfaction of raising funds that they know will support world-class research, health promotion and advocacy.

The Becel Heart&Stroke Ride for Heart is Canada's largest charity cycling event. Funds raised through the Ride will support world-class research, health promotion and advocacy. Every dollar donated or raised for the Ride for Heart helps create more survivors.

This year, The Heart and Stroke Foundation has partnered with Vitess Bicycle Corporation in the ultimate fundraising promotion - the Heart&Stroke Vitess Bespoke Experience. Participants who fundraised $1,750 or more by May 26th had the chance to win the Heart&Stroke Vitess Bespoke Experience - a beautifully handcrafted Vitess bespoke carbon fibre road bike, with Heart and Stroke Foundation creative artwork and built with premium components that complement the specific characteristics of the rider. As well as the custom-designed bike, the winner receives a complementary first-year membership to V, the exclusive private club for Vitess riders.

The lucky winner of this promotion is 29-year-old Megan Quinn. On February 25th, 2012, says Megan, her life changed forever. "This was the day that I lost my beloved Darren - my boyfriend of six years and the love of my life. At only 26 years of age he suffered from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome and we lost him." Megan, who was engaged to Darren, and her friends built the Radbeer Racing Team. They now ride every year "to honour Darren's memory and heal our hearts."

Press release

Below:

Cyclists enjoying the Ride on the Gardiner Expressway.

photo credit - Dr. Chi-Ming Chow, Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson