A sprained wrist wasn’t going to stop Andrew Struthers from crossing the finish line for his 10th “Ride to Conquer Cancer.”
The fundraiser brought in $20.6 million for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation with $2,800 of that thanks to Struthers.
“It was really a fantastic event this year,” he says.
The two-day journey for around 3,800 riders – including Struthers – began at Exhibition Place in Toronto while another 400 set off from Niagara Falls.
Struthers says the first day was rough with them riding the entire 96 km journey into the wind. “That just makes it that much more meaningful when the journey is hard,” he adds.
However, once he arrived at McMaster University in Hamilton at the end of the first day, he says the weather was perfect. Struthers says he was shocked to realize he was among the first 10 riders to finish.
Once the thousands of remaining cyclists arrived, Struthers says the rest of the evening was spent listening to speeches from doctors and researchers explaining what they do and how important the money raised is.
The ride has raised over $300 million in the 17 years it has been hosted. Struthers says he’s helped raise around $40,000 in his decade taking part.
“When you hear about people who have been treated for cancer, whether in this community or if they’ve been treated at Princess Margearet, it really jumps out to you that you’re doing something good,” says Struthers.
The second day didn’t start well for Struthers.
“Unfortunately, on the second day, about 10 km in, I hit a patch of gravel and crashed my bike and sprained my wrist and came out bumped out bruised,” he remembers. But you’ve trained and you’ve fundraised, I wasn’t about to give up. I hopped back on the bike, rode to the first medical station, grabbed some supplies, cleaned myself up, and rode another 110 km to cross the finish line.”
Struthers is in his second term as a councillor in Bracebridge representing Macaulay Ward. The ride ended on June 9, so he didn’t have much time to recover before the town’s council meeting four days later.
“When I woke up the next day, I realized maybe it wasn’t such a great idea to continue,” jokes Struthers.
Dr. Miyo Yamashita, president and chief executive officer of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, says to know hundreds of millions has been raised in close to two decades is a testament to the incredible people who have made the annual fundraiser an important part of their year.
“The substantial donations, coupled with committed riders, sponsors, and volunteers, will fuel continued progress in the fight to conquer cancer, offering hope to countless individuals and families affected by this disease,” she says.
Struthers points out another ride for the foundation will be on Aug. 10 in Bracebridge.
The Northern Pass to Conquer Cancer has been held in Muskoka for eight years and will start and finish at the Bracebridge Sportsplex.
Struthers says a $1 million goal has been set for the one-day ride. Participants can register for a 40, 100, or 160 km ride with a minimum fundraising for each set at $1,000.
“We hope we can continue to grow the event,” he says.
