Don Ross
- National: 268th
- Province: 157th in ON
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
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
My Legacy
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1,562 km Ridden$1,541 Raised2018
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1,698 km Ridden$2,846 Raised2019
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2,456 km Ridden$1,045 Raised2020
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2,434 km Ridden$4,509 Raised2021
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2,010 km Ridden$3,594 Raised2022
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2,135 km Ridden$8,370 Raised2023
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1,988 km Ridden$6,316 Raised2024
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Ridden$1,351 Raised2025
My Challenge
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40.0 km ride - Milford to end of Salmon Pt Rd & back via #10-Brummell Rd-#18 - Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Logged this ride 1 day ago -
32.0 km ride - Milford around pond then Cty Rd 17 to end and back - Monday, August 4, 2025
Logged this ride 2 days ago -
24.0 km ride - Indoor due to bad air quality outdoors - Sunday, August 3, 2025
Logged this ride 3 days ago -
44.0 km ride - Milford-17-16-wilolea Lane-13-10-milford - Saturday, August 2, 2025
Logged this ride 4 days ago -
40.0 km ride - Milford- Cherry Valley- Pt Petre Lighthouse- 17 - Milford - Friday, August 1, 2025
Logged this ride 5 days ago -
Ready to Rock n Roll!
31 Jul 2025Well, tomorrow…August 1st….all our training rides get bumped off the site and we all start at 0 km towards our month long goals. I’m ready to jump on my Time Machine 🚲 ( get on it at 70 and get off feeling like I’m 35 ) and put in my 1000 km and raise at least $5000. I had a good June 816 km and July 916km in afternoon heat so August won’t seem so rough. I’ve banked 4272 km towards my virtual cross Canada ride goal too so feeling confident I’ll make the 7821 km by end of year. #griffinmyheartforever #fightlikeakid
Posted 5 days ago -
Sam Says Thanks For Your Donations
30 Jul 2025Meet Sam
3-year-old Sam is our official GUARDIAN level ambassador. 🧡
In May 2024, Sam was diagnosed with high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
As he was classified "high-risk", Sam required more intensive treatment.
The first month of chemotherapy, known as the induction phase, was really tough. Sam endured intensive chemo and fought a serious bacterial infection following port-insertion surgery.
His treatment journey since then has had its ups and downs, but the constant support of his care team has been a source of great comfort.
This March, Sam was given a second diagnosis of Noonan syndrome, which is a genetic disorder that can affect growth, facial features, heart function, and development.
This diagnosis is helping his team better monitor his treatment, and the way his body responds.
Sam's bright and goofy personality continues to shine as he bravely fights this disease. He's made so many friends in the oncology ward. 😊
This is one amazing little man.
Today, Sam has a message for you: THANK YOU !
Posted 7 days ago -
$1,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $1,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved WARRIOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 8 days ago -
Today is Tribute Day
24 Jul 2025Remembering all those special children who sadly have succumbed to cancer and all those still struggling to cope with this dreadful disease. We will never give up trying to help nor will we forget those who have left this Earth. #GriffinMyHeartForever #fightlikeakid
Posted 12 days ago -
$ 1 Million Mark Reached
22 Jul 2025We've now raised $1,000,000 to fight kids' cancer! 🥳🙌✨
Our buddy Liam the Legend made this spectacular multicolored sign to help celebrate this 'AMAZING' and 'FANTASTIC' milestone. 💪
9-year-old Liam is bravely fighting leukemia for the 3rd time in his young life.
His cancer journey has been a rollercoaster, and he continues to face the highs and lows with incredible maturity and positivity. ✊
Your AMAZING fundraising efforts are giving hope to Liam and his family that we can live in a world free from childhood cancer. 🧡
So, let's celebrate this achievement and continue to smash these AMAZING MILESTONES…
Because kids like Liam should be living life, not fighting for it. #GriffinMyHeartForever
Posted 15 days ago -
Sam Thanks Everyone!
19 Jul 2025MEET SAM
3-year-old Sam is a caring, goofy and mischievous boy who is currently in maintenance treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Last year, on May 26, Sam was rushed to his local hospital and then urgently transferred to SickKids in Toronto.
At the time, his platelet count was dangerously low (at just 5), which meant his blood couldn’t clot properly – putting him at serious risk of internal bleeding.
He was admitted for immediate treatment, and further testing confirmed the devastating news…
Sam was diagnosed with high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
The “high-risk” classification meant that Sam’s case required more intensive treatment. His family’s world was turned upside down, and those early days were overwhelming. It was hard to process what was happening, and what was still to come.
Sam’s first month of treatment, known as the induction phase, was tough. He endured multiple rounds of intensive chemotherapy and developed a serious bacterial infection following port insertion surgery. Further surgery was required to remove the initial port and insert a PICC line to deliver treatments.
Thankfully, the next stretch of treatment went more smoothly. He completed the consolidation phase of chemotherapy and his first round of specialized immunotherapy drug Blina without any major setbacks.
The first interim maintenance phase of treatment then brought new challenges. It was especially hard on his little body, but the constant support of his SickKids team brought his family a lot of comfort. His mom, Tiffany, told us, “They were always there when we needed them… we always felt heard.”
In January 2025, after a much-needed break between treatments, Sam’s family returned to Toronto for his second round of immunotherapy.
He is currently undergoing the second interim maintenance phase, the next step in his long treatment plan.
Thanks to advanced genetic testing, Sam has recently been given another diagnosis that allowed his care team to better monitor his treatment and understand why all this may have happened.
Sam’s original leukemia tests flagged markers that pointed to another condition, and in March, Sam was officially diagnosed with Noonan syndrome. It is a genetic disorder that can affect growth, facial features, heart function, and development. So far, Sam’s case appears mild. His parents have also undergone genetic testing to understand whether the condition was inherited, and they are waiting on results.
They told us, “SickKids is crucial to our family. It’s healing, Sam, and it’s healing us. Without their genetic testing and research, we never would have discovered his second diagnosis.”
By now, Sam is a familiar face in the oncology ward at SickKids. Whenever he visits, he announces himself with a cheerful, “I’m baaack!!”
He may be a little guy, but he has a big, bright personality! He loves dressing up as a ninja or Darth Vader, insists on wearing his signature yellow rain boots in all weather, and goes through hilarious food phases… sautéed mushrooms are his current obsession.
Sam’s cancer journey isn’t over yet, he continues to bravely fight this disease with his family by his side.
GCC’ers, let’s pedal as hard as we can for Super Sam this August!
Posted 17 days ago -
$500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved GUARDIAN LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 18 days ago -
A Ride for the Brave
17 Jul 2025Lovely poem from one of our GCC riders Lily Sotomayor that says a lot about what motivates us to keep pedalling for kids with cancer. #griffinmyheartforever # fightlikeakid
Posted 19 days ago -
$250 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $250 to fight kids' cancer and achieved PROTECTOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 20 days ago -
Instagram Rider Profile from GCCCanada today
11 Jul 2025Legacy rider Don has ridden 14,283km and raised $28,309 over the last 7 years… and he’s gearing up for another big year of riding to save little lives! 🚴♂️
This dedicated GCC’er rides in memory of Griffin “Griff” Bell, and to honour his wife of 46 years, Heather (pictured). 🧡
Don learned of Griff’s story through his son who knows the Bell family well. Griff passed away in March 2024 at just 6 years old, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. The 26th of June would have been Griff’s 8th birthday. 💔
While Don and Griff never had the chance to meet in person, Don can feel Griff’s presence with him when he rides. Having supported his wife through her own long battle with cancer, Griff’s story touched him deeply.
His inspiring wife, Heather, has been managing the challenges of breast cancer since her initial diagnosis in 1999, and a later aggressive recurrence in 2011. In Don’s words, “her toughness is beyond measure, and there is no quit in her character.” 💪
Thankfully, Heather is now in remission and cherishing every precious moment and milestone with her family.
Inspired by Griff and Heather, Don has set himself a GCC ride goal of 1,000km AND an annual cycling goal of riding the equivalent of the distance across Canada (a casual 7,821km).
GCC’ers, let’s hear it for the incredible Don! 🙌
https://www.instagram.com/p/DL9w7Mtp6wN/?igsh=MThpMjR1YTJrcmEwNw==
#griffinmyheartforever #fightlikeakid
Posted 25 days ago -
$100 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $100 to fight kids' cancer and achieved DEFENDER LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 26 days ago -
1/2 way across 🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇦
30 Jun 20256 months in and 3356 km completed so well on track for my cross country goal by end of the year. Happy Canada Day weekend. #griffinmyheartforever
Posted 36 days ago -
Thinking even more about Griff and the Bell family today
26 Jun 2025Today Griff Bell would have turned 8 years of age. We all ride each year so other children with cancer can live to celebrate many more birthdays with their loved ones. #griffinmyheartforever
Posted 40 days ago -
Year 8 Rides Well Underway
12 Jun 2025Happy to say that in the past 7 years of the GCC during the month each year of recorded rides and fundraising , I’ve been able to log 14,283 km and raise $28,257.08. Looking forward to doing this event again this year and achieving/ exceeding my goal of 1000 km and $5000. My other annual goal that I aim for is riding the equivalent of across Canada ( 7821 km ) from Jan to Dec and so far I’m on track with 2932 km completed. All for a great cause for some amazing children and their families. #GriffinMyHeartForever
Posted 54 days ago -
Remembering Griffin Bell
21 Mar 2025This is why we ride, for children like Griff and families like the Bells. #GriffinMyHeartForever #golden #fightlikeakid
Posted 137 days ago
My Sponsors
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Carol and Michael Cooke
“Wishing you great rides Don and many thanks for your devotion to this fundraiser!”
$155.25Received this donation 18 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.”
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Cathy MacDonald
$124.20Received this donation 12 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. 🥰”
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Paula Walker
“Thank you for doing this Don! Best wishes!”
$124.20Received this donation 20 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.”
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Jenna Ross
“Go Dad go!! Keep pedaling and inspiring 😍🥰”
$111Received this donation 26 days ago
Don
“Thanks 111 times over. 🥰”
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Karen Whelpdale
$103.50Received this donation 5 days ago
Don
“https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/donate/thank-you/854313 Thanks very much for your generosity each year . It's greatly appreciated.”
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Lynn Watson
“Thanks for doing this Don. Have a great ride!”
$103.50Received this donation 18 days ago
Don
“Much appreciated Lynn….your support each year helps me pedal even more on those hot summer afternoons!”
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Dave and Alison Hicks
$100Received this donation 1 day 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.”
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Debbie Cooke
$100Received this donation 9 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.”
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Lean McConnell
$100Received this donation 8 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 .”
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Cheryl Hope
$51.75Received this donation 13 days ago
Don
“Cheryl & Johan, This is very kind of you to pitch in your generous support for this effort to help kids and their families manage the difficult challenges they’re facing. Thanks so much ( and best wishes from Heather & I for your upcoming special big day ! )”
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Gail Lynch
“Thanks for the great fundraising you do Don”
$51.75Received this donation 12 days ago
Don
“Hi Gail, Your support is very much appreciated and I’m grateful to be able to continue doing this event each year. We’ll keep on keeping on to support these children and their families. https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/donate/thank-you/847145”
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Monica Alyea
$51.75Received this donation 1 day ago
Don
“Hi Monica, I very much appreciate your support and donation. Every dollar raised will bring some hope and assistance to those kids and families who are dealing with cancer. Take care and never stop believing cancer can be managed.”
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Terry & Brian Corbett
“Keep up the great work Don for a special cause💕”
$51.75Received this donation 54 days ago
Don
“Thanks so very much Terry and Brian. Hope you have a wonderful summer. https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/donate/thank-you/836967”
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Janice Bunn
“Congratulations on your journey this summer to reach your goal! August will be a breeze!”
$36.23Received this donation 2 days ago
Don
“https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/donate/thank-you/860069 Thanks so much Janice. I really appreciate your support ❤️”
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Lisa Rudyk
$25.88Received this donation 4 days ago
Don
“https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/donate/thank-you/855433 Lisa...thanks so much for helping this great cause. Much appreciated. Take care.”
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Heather Ross
“Go Don Go!”
$24Received this donation 19 days ago -
Don Ross
“Kicking things off with my own personal donation to fight kids' cancer!”
$36.23Received this donation 171 days ago