Don Ross

Cancer is the largest killer of kids in Canada, 27 children are diagnosed every week. Please donate now and support my challenge to fight kids' cancer!

Donate Now

I've Ridden 1,349.0 km to fight kids' cancer

My Rankings

National: 76th
Province: 37th in ON

I've raised $6,855 My goal is $7,000 Donate Now

I'm Riding For

In Memory of Griff Bell & in honour of Heather Ross

As I ride each day , indoors in winter & outdoors spring to fall, it will be with the memory of 6 year old Griffin Bell from Ottawa ( June 26, 2017 - March 18, 2024 ) in my heart along with my inspirational partner Heather who I've been grateful to be married to for 46 years. She continues to set an amazing example for all our family and anyone who knows her with how she lives her life each and every day. She’s managed all the challenges of breast cancer since 1999 and Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer since 2011 in a dignified way that gives great hope and cheer to others. Her toughness is beyond measure and there is no quit in her character. https://cancerresearchsociety.ca/profile/a-testament-to-the-power-of-cancer-research/ These are the same qualities that Griff Bell displayed during his short life & other young children bring out in themselves as they manage their cancer treatments with their loving families always at their sides. Griff Bell was a bright light of joy to all who knew him during his life here on Earth and we’ll never stop fighting for children like him! #GriffinMyHeartForever #RidingForHeather #FightLikeaKid

My Story

17 Aug 2025

This will be my 8th year taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer! Why? Because right now, over 1,700 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it's the biggest killer of children from disease in Canada. 3 young lives are lost every week like the brave young boy who rides with me in my heart , 6 year old Griffin Bell from Ottawa ( June 26, 2017 - March 18, 2024 ) . Every 2 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer around the world. My wife & I sometimes see these young children when we are at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre & Toronto Western where she's been receiving ongoing care for Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. We’re so grateful for the life saving research being done there and for the care & treatment she receives at UHN in Toronto & at BGH Oncology in Belleville. Hospitals like Toronto Sick Kids and CHEO in Ottawa are doing incredible work with children dealing with cancer. As any parent or grandparent like us would say.....all kids should be living life, not fighting for it . So I'm raising funds through my challenge to ride each day all year long to help these kids and support Sick Kids Foundation . This helps them continue their work in developing treatments and finding a cure for childhood cancer. Please support me by making a donation to give these brave kids the brighter futures they deserve.Your support will change little lives. Thank you so much! #GriffinMyHeartForever #RidingForHeather #FightLikeAKid #thegldnsociety

My Legacy

Here's my personal impact over 8 years to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.

1,562 km Ridden

$1,541 Raised

2018
1,698 km Ridden

$2,846 Raised

2019
2,456 km Ridden

$1,045 Raised

2020
2,434 km Ridden

$4,509 Raised

2021
2,010 km Ridden

$3,594 Raised

2022
2,135 km Ridden

$8,370 Raised

2023
1,988 km Ridden

$6,316 Raised

2024
1,349 km Ridden

$6,855 Raised

2025

15,632 km

Ridden

$35,076

Raised

My Challenge

16.0 km ride - Knowlesville rd to end of Gilmour rd and back - Thursday, September 18, 2025

Logged this ride 2 days ago
24.0 km ride - Knowlesville and Simms Rd hill climbs & back - Monday, September 15, 2025

Logged this ride 5 days ago
24.0 km ride - Knowlesville Rd to Armond Rd to corner of 104 and back - Sunday, September 14, 2025

Logged this ride 6 days ago
24.0 km ride - Knowlesville rd - Gilmour Rd- hill climbs and back - Saturday, September 13, 2025

Logged this ride 7 days ago
Stats, Facts & Super Efforts

13 Sep 2025

The average GCC rider pedaled 184 km throughout August.

Your collective kilometres ridden would lap the circumference of the earth 52 times!

Over 69,578 donations have been made to fight kids' cancer!

26 riders pedaled over 2,000 kilometres for their challenge.

5-year legacy rider Michael Riley had a landmark year, raising a whopping $66,091 to save little lives and rising to the #1 spot on the individual leaderboard. He spent 22 days in August riding 1,450km around Iceland!

The leaderboards have been viewed 59,458 times.

32 riders raised more than $10,000 to fight kids' cancer, becoming challenge All-Stars.

The amazing Emily-Ann took on her 3rd challenge, which was her biggest yet! She rode 85km and raised $3,249 as a member of the "StrongasHal" team in honour of her sister Hallie-Lynn.

Proud uncle Kyle Dubourdieu rode 683km and raised an impressive $2,770 in his first GCC - he dedicated his challenge to his nephew who is a GCC ambassador, the amazing 3-year-old Sam. 🧡

The average donation made to sponsor a rider was $96.

The Together We Ride team returned for the 5th year of fundraising and took out the #1 spot on the team leaderboard AGAIN - the 26 members rode 15,662 km and raised $93,476! Stunning effort!

Members of our Facebook group GCC Friends Canada shared 2,536 posts and made 13,128 comments!

15 kids under 5 years old rode in the challenge to kick cancer's butt for other kids.

The website has been viewed 1,697,854 times in 176 countries.

We've received countless messages from families impacted by cancer, thanking you for your incredible support.

1,923 riders raised $1,000+ and became members of the Peloton Club.

GCC legend Jarrod Russell marked a decade riding to fight kids' cancer with a breathtaking 1,310 km ridden and $31,754 raised to end childhood cancer... taking his all-time total raised to $303,828. 🤯

4,814 riders achieved the 'DEFENDER' Impact Level in the challenge.

Riders from Prince Edward Island raised an average of $780 - the highest average in the country.

2,145 riders completed their 2nd Great Cycle Challenge to continue their personal legacy to kick cancer's butt.

8-year legacy rider Don Ross rode 1,054 km and raised $6,855 in memory of 6-year-old Griff Bell and in honour of his inspirational wife Heather. He has now raised an astounding $35,076 over his years in the challenge.

804 riders have survived their own personal fight against cancer.

Team Hatch were our highest ranked company team, rising to the #3 spot on the team leaderboard with an awesome effort of 10,639 km ridden and $47,247 raised by the 22 members. Go team! ✊

This year we've posted 56 times on our Facebook page and received 147,930 likes, comments and shares.

Inspiring mother-son duo Jennifer and Grayson rode 510 km and raised $1,839 in their first GCC, blowing their goals out of the water! They took on the challenge for 4-year-old Ella, a close family friend who fought clear cell sarcoma and is now cancer-free (WOOHOO).

4,356 riders took part in the challenge in memory of a loved one affected by cancer. 💓

Legacy rider Arnei de Guzman had a fantastic 5th year, riding 406 km and raising $1,364 to save little lives. A special shout-out goes to him and his pedaling side-kicks (his kiddos) for their fun and creative videos in the GCC Friends Canada group. 😊

188 riders joined us for their 10th year in a row, riding with us since the very first GCC in 2016.

Together, we've pedaled for the equivalent of 271,401 days.

Henrietta Olthoff Mulder continues to cement her status as an all-time GCC great, with the 9-year legacy rider clocking 302 km and raising an incredible $43,817 to kick cancer's butt. She rode in memory of her daughter Arlene, who lost her battle with colon cancer in 2018, and has raised a colossal all-time total of $184,065.

Over the 10 years of GCC, we've ridden 26,555,415 km and raised $60,598,401 to fight kids' cancer!

Posted 7 days ago
24.0 km ride - Milford to Little Bluff - Monday, September 8, 2025

Logged this ride 12 days ago
30.0 km ride - Milford-Cherry Valley-Miller Rd -#17-Milford - Sunday, September 7, 2025

Logged this ride 13 days ago
Annual Birthday Age Ride

6 Sep 2025

Beautiful cool, breezy day to get in my 71km Birthday age ride that I do each year around this time. So grateful to be healthy and able to do this sort of thing while wishing it could be so for all the kids we’re riding for. #griffinmyheartforever #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #fightlikeakid #thegldnsociety

Posted 13 days ago
71.0 km ride - Ride my age birthday ride Milford to Wellington and back via Millenium trail - Saturday, September 6, 2025

Logged this ride 14 days ago
42.0 km ride - Milford via 17-8-17-16-13-Morrison pt rd- 10 - Friday, September 5, 2025

Logged this ride 15 days ago

My Sponsors

Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation

“Here's your matched donation made possible by the generosity of long-time SickKids Foundation supporters, the Garron family. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$2,172.36
Received this donation 37 days ago

Don

“Dear Garron Family, Your incredible life-changing support of this fundraiser year after year shows us all that the human spirit is unbreakable. Thank you for all that you’re doing to help improve so many lives.”

Dear Garron Family, Your incredible life-changing support of this fundraiser year after year shows us all that the human spirit is unbreakable. Thank you for all that you’re doing to help improve so many lives.
Leslie Bell

“Don your spirit is an inspiration to all of us ! Thank you for working so hard to help so many , in the memory of our sweet Griffin. Sheila and Les”
$1,035
Received this donation 37 days ago

Don

“Dear Les & Sheila, I’m truly grateful to be healthy and able to do this each year to help keep Griff’s indomitable spirit alive in my small way. He continues to inspire me by his determination during his short lifetime and I honestly feel him riding with me each day on my bike. The entire Bell family has created a legacy of caring and giving in tribute to Griffin that will make so many lives better at Sick Kids in Toronto and CHEO. Thank you for this most generous contribution today. 💕”

Dear Les & Sheila, I’m truly grateful to be healthy and able to do this each year to help keep Griff’s indomitable spirit alive in my small way. He continues to inspire me by his determination during his short lifetime and I honestly feel him riding with me each day on my bike. The entire Bell family has created a legacy of caring and giving in tribute to Griffin that will make so many lives better at Sick Kids in Toronto and CHEO. Thank you for this most generous contribution today. 💕
Jim and Sarah Hurst

“Way to go Don. So proud of you as always”
$476.10
Received this donation 38 days ago

Don

“Sarah & Jim, You’ve always been in our corner and support us with your encouragement, generosity and kindness. It means the world to us and paying it forward helps so many people in meaningful ways. Thanks once again for helping make this year’s ride a big success. 💕”

Sarah & Jim, You’ve always been in our corner and support us with your encouragement, generosity and kindness. It means the world to us and paying it forward helps so many people in meaningful ways. Thanks once again for helping make this year’s ride a big success. 💕
Mary L Strey

“Ride on Don. Enjoy!”
$362.25
Received this donation 38 days ago

Don

“You’re amazing Cuz…..BeeCuz you’ve got a ❤️ of gold and it’s as big as the Sleeping Giant. Thank you for your ongoing loyal support and geneROSSity :) 💕 from Heather and I”

You’re amazing Cuz…..BeeCuz you’ve got a ❤️ of gold and it’s as big as the Sleeping Giant. Thank you for your ongoing loyal support and geneROSSity :) 💕 from Heather and I
Lorie Stevenson

“Keep riding for the kids Don.”
$207
Received this donation 38 days ago

Don

“Lorie, I sure will, you can count on that. No quit in these kids we ride for nor in the yound lady I live with , as you know !:) Your loyal and generous support each year means a lot to us. Thanks again.”

Lorie, I sure will, you can count on that. No quit in these kids we ride for nor in the yound lady I live with , as you know !:) Your loyal and generous support each year means a lot to us. Thanks again.
Carol and Michael Cooke

“Wishing you great rides Don and many thanks for your devotion to this fundraiser!”
$155.25
Received this donation 63 days ago

Don

“Mike & Carol, You’re the absolute best and I’m very grateful for how much you’ve supported my efforts each year. Thank you.”

Mike & Carol, You’re the absolute best and I’m very grateful for how much you’ve supported my efforts each year. Thank you.
Lynn Watson
$155.25
Received this donation 38 days ago

Don

“Lynn, Your continued support has been amazing and I can't thank you enough. This matching day donation will boost the campaign even more thanks to people like you and the Garron Family.”

Lynn, Your continued support has been amazing and I can't thank you enough. This matching day donation will boost the campaign even more thanks to people like you and the Garron Family.
Cathy MacDonald
$124.20
Received this donation 57 days ago

Don

“Good morning Cathy, I’m very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰”

Good morning Cathy, I’m very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰
Patricia White
$124.20
Received this donation 39 days ago

Don

“Thank you very much Pat. It matters to so many children and families that there are people in the world like you who care enough to donate to help them deal with their situation. We’re grateful for your loyal support over the years and helps motivate me to keep pedalling. Best regards from Heather and I .”

Thank you very much Pat. It matters to so many children and families that there are people in the world like you who care enough to donate to help them deal with their situation. We’re grateful for your loyal support over the years and helps motivate me to keep pedalling. Best regards from Heather and I .
Paula Walker

“Thank you for doing this Don! Best wishes!”
$124.20
Received this donation 65 days ago

Don

“Paula and Bruce, You’ve been such loyal, generous donors each year and I’m so grateful for your support of this effort to help these children at Toronto Sick Kids. Thank you.”

Paula and Bruce, You’ve been such loyal, generous donors each year and I’m so grateful for your support of this effort to help these children at Toronto Sick Kids. Thank you.
Stephen Empringham

“Great charity, Don. Keep up the good work!”
$124.20
Received this donation 29 days ago

Don

“Stephen and Kathy, I'm very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the many children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰”

Stephen and Kathy, I'm very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the many children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰
Stuart Ross

“Very proud of your commitment to this cause brother! KEEP ON RIDING!!”
$124.20
Received this donation 37 days ago

Don

“Thanks Stuart….”Keeping on keeping on “ is a good motto I try to follow. Thinking about what these kids and their families are managing to “keep on through “ is all the motivation I need. Living with a real life cancer survivor miracle every day shows there’s always hope for these kids too.”

Thanks Stuart….”Keeping on keeping on “ is a good motto I try to follow. Thinking about what these kids and their families are managing to “keep on through “ is all the motivation I need. Living with a real life cancer survivor miracle every day shows there’s always hope for these kids too.
Jenna Ross

“Go Dad go!! Keep pedaling and inspiring 😍🥰”
$111
Received this donation 71 days ago

Don

“Thanks 111 times over. 🥰”

Thanks 111 times over. 🥰
Brian Hoyt
$103.50
Received this donation 27 days ago

Don

“Hi Brian, I'm very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the many children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰”

Hi Brian, I'm very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the many children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰
Karen Whelpdale
$103.50
Received this donation 50 days ago

Don

“https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/donate/thank-you/854313 Thanks very much for your generosity each year . It's greatly appreciated.”

https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/donate/thank-you/854313 Thanks very much for your generosity each year . It's greatly appreciated.
Lynn Watson

“Thanks for doing this Don. Have a great ride!”
$103.50
Received this donation 63 days ago

Don

“Much appreciated Lynn….your support each year helps me pedal even more on those hot summer afternoons!”

Much appreciated Lynn….your support each year helps me pedal even more on those hot summer afternoons!
Dave and Alison Hicks
$100
Received this donation 46 days ago

Don

“Allison and Dave, You are both such kind and gentle souls and Heather and I are honoured to know you and consider you our dear friends. Thanks very much for this generous contribution to the ride this year. It means a lot to so many people we will never get to meet in person.”

Allison and Dave, You are both such kind and gentle souls and Heather and I are honoured to know you and consider you our dear friends. Thanks very much for this generous contribution to the ride this year. It means a lot to so many people we will never get to meet in person.
Deb

“Heather and Don are an inspiration!”
$100
Received this donation 37 days ago

Don

“Deb and Don, So grateful to have good friends like you in our corner cheering us on and supporting this cause that means so much to us and all the families it brings hope and relief to. Thanks again for your generosity again this year.”

Deb and Don, So grateful to have good friends like you in our corner cheering us on and supporting this cause that means so much to us and all the families it brings hope and relief to. Thanks again for your generosity again this year.
Debbie Cooke
$100
Received this donation 54 days ago

Don

“Hi Debbie, I received your generous donation today and will submit it on the matching day in August so that it will have a greater impact helping these children and their families who we are riding for. Thanks so much for your support over the years, and enjoy your time with family when you leave.”

Hi Debbie, I received your generous donation today and will submit it on the matching day in August so that it will have a greater impact helping these children and their families who we are riding for. Thanks so much for your support over the years, and enjoy your time with family when you leave.
Lean McConnell
$100
Received this donation 53 days ago

Don

“Leon and Vernice, Your loyal support of this fundraiser over the years has been amazing and means a lot to us. Thanks so much . I will make sure your donation gets submitted on the day of the matching offer when it arrives .”

Leon and Vernice, Your loyal support of this fundraiser over the years has been amazing and means a lot to us. Thanks so much . I will make sure your donation gets submitted on the day of the matching offer when it arrives .