For the SIXTH year, this August I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge ride to fight kids' cancer. As many of you may know, in the previous 5 years I was able to ride a total of 4,369 km during the challenge, and 11, 859 km in total. Most import though, is that because of the generous donations from my sponsors, we raised $22,236 in support of cancer research for the Sick Kids Hospital Foundation.

For me, health issues were a challenge in 2024 and I was only able to complete 681 of my 1,000 km goal as I struggled with energy levels and severe weight loss. I was hospitalized three times, twice following a diagnosis of Crohns Disease and a third time for gallbladder surgery.

However, my health struggles are nothing compared to what children with cancer go through.

I'm back on my feet again and looking forward to pedaling my way past my goal this year and raising funds to help fight childhood cancer. This will certainly be a challenge for me, and I know that many of the 1,400+ children who are diagnosed with cancer every year would love to be able to do something like this, but unfortunately they often struggle just to get out of their hospital bed. Cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in Canada and so I ride for them. Those children are facing challenges that I cannot even imagine yet they push on with the hope to be able to one day ride in the Great Cycle Challenge themselves..... a dream and hope that they strive for.

Please, join me in this challenge by helping me to reach my fundraising goal. Together, I know we will make a difference which is why I am taking part in this challenge.... to help these kids and support SickKids Foundation in their mission to develop treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.

Your support will change little lives.

Thank you. Al