The Niagara Health Foundation’s 12th annual Big Move Cancer Ride will be back in 2020, albeit with a new approach. The long-time Niagara event that has raised over $3,700,000 in 11 years will shift to a “ride from home, ride your own way” format due to the current realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Supporting local cancer care is always a high-priority for the Foundation, but this year it has taken on a greater sense of urgency. Several community events supporting the Cancer Centre were forced to cancel or postpone due to the pandemic, which is why we are even more committed to continuing The Big Move Cancer Ride in 2020. Cancer care doesn’t take a break during a pandemic,” said Chris Green, Director of Communication, Marketing and Community Engagement with the Niagara Health Foundation.
The Big Move Cancer Ride will pivot from having riders complete their routes all on the same date. Riders will now have 14 days to complete their routes, starting September 1 and ending September 13. Riders will be able to make their own routes or use routes that the planning committee will provide. “The beauty of operating our ‘from home ride’ is that now anyone that owns a bike can participate in The Big Move. If you want to ride a few kilometres a day with your family or friends, or if you want to push yourself and see if you can complete 25, 50, 75 or 100km+, you can make it work for yourself,” commented Green.
Riders will once again be asked to seek donations for their efforts, all in support of local cancer care at the Walker Family Cancer Centre at Niagara Health. Riders who raise $500 or more will receive the official 2020 Big Move Cancer Ride cycle jersey once again. In addition, the popular “Family Ride” from 2019 will return for 2020. It will allow riders of all ages to participate and show cancer patients in Niagara that they are riding for them. Participants in the Family Ride will receive Big Move Cancer Ride t-shirts.
During the 2020 event, there will be a few new offerings for riders of all ages. Each registered rider will receive an official, (non-medical) Big Move Cancer Ride cloth mask and be eligible to win several prizes leading up to and during the event.
100% of the proceeds from the Big Move Cancer Ride stay in Niagara to support local cancer care provided at the Walker Family Cancer Centre at Niagara Health. Donations for the 2020 Big Move will support equipment and upgrades to the safe and effective delivery of Chemotherapy to patients.
“As we ‘gear up’ for Big Move 2020, we have experienced COVID and we are very pleased that Cancer Care at the Walker Family Cancer Centre at Niagara Health has continued to serve all of those who need care. To be able to do this, safely we very quickly introduced new ways of doing things. These include using virtual visits and in some cases altered treatment schedules and care plans. We are in implementing new approaches so that we can continue to accommodate the growth in cancer care services, and to do it safely in an ongoing COVID environment.” said Dr. Janice Giesbrecht, Director of Oncology – Walker Family Cancer Centre.
About Niagara Health Foundation
Niagara Health Foundation raises funds to support Niagara Health for the advancement of healthcare in Niagara.
Supporting Niagara Health in its mission, Niagara Health Foundation raises funds for priority equipment needs, redevelopment projects and patient programs at Niagara Health’s five sites, located in Welland, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Port Colborne, and Fort Erie.
For more information, visit www.BigMoveCancerRide.com
