'It's amazing to see so many people coming together': CN Cycle for CHEO raises record $2.175 million
More than 7,000 participants showed up for the 17th annual CN Cycle in support of CHEO to raise funds, despite the rain in Ottawa this Sunday.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The CHEO Foundation says it raised a record $2.175 million that will go towards research and clinical care in its oncology department.
"This massive show of support from our generous community to the children, youth and families facing cancer is humbling, inspiring, and deeply appreciated," read a news release from CHEO.
President and CEO of CHEO Foundation, Steve Read, told CTV News Ottawa’s Jackie Perez this year was a total success.
"This is our largest fundraiser for oncology. So, what we're able to do with our research and our clinical care for oncology kids out here is largely dependent on events like this," said Read.
"We're not just breaking the last year's record, we're going to smash last year's record, and it's exactly how we're able to do what we do for the kids that year. So we're very, very grateful to all the participants and everybody in Ottawa that's made this possible."
Virginia Meehan is part of "Michael Meehan's Minion" team and Michael Meehan's mother. She says the team has been participating for about 10 years.
"Michael's a three-time cancer survivor. So, he spent a lot of time at CHEO. So, we really appreciate them. And we love to be able to give back," she said.
Michael adds that he's grateful for the teachers and the "amazing kids here."
Tamy Bell, Griffin Bell’s mother, says that not having her son here this year "hits hard."
Griffin was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2018, a form of childhood cancer that develops from immature nerve cells. He passed away on March 18, a few months shy of his seventh birthday.
"I think over like 600 on our team, alone. And, it's overwhelming, to say the least. So, we're gonna make him proud. He said this year we are going to win. And I think that, you know, we're going to do that," she said. "It's amazing to see so many people coming together."
Evan Bell, Griffin’s father adds that today is a special day. he says "we certainly have had the community wrap their arms around us."
The event includes cycling routes, walking routes along the Ottawa River and activities and entertainment for kids of all ages.
Many roads were closed downtown until 1 p.m., including the Kichi Zībī Mīkan, different sections of Wellington Street and parts of the Queen Elizabeth driveway.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
At least 15 dead after severe weather carves path of ruin across multiple U.S. states in the South
Powerful storms killed at least 15 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Some birds may use 'mental time travel,' study finds
Real quick — what did you have for lunch yesterday? Were you with anyone? Where were you? Can you picture the scene? The ability to remember things that happened to you in the past, especially to go back and recall little incidental details, is a hallmark of what psychologists call episodic memory — and new research indicates that it’s an ability humans may share with birds called Eurasian jays.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Josef Newgarden becomes first back-to-back Indy 500 winner in 22 years
Josef Newgarden put his cheating scandal behind him to become the first back-to-back winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 22 years.