'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
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Lyon-bound Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Montreal turns back midflight due to pressurization alert
Passengers heading from Montreal to Lyon, France on Friday were forced to return home and depart the next day after a pressurization indication was detected in flight.
VIA Rail service delayed for hours due to suspicious package investigation in Kingston, Ont.
VIA Rail service resumed in the Kingston, Ont. area late Saturday afternoon, after a suspicious package investigation halted train service for more than four hours over the Victoria Day long weekend.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.