Cyclists raise $6.3M for cancer research
Tegan Carmichael was marking a milestone this weekend, taking part for the fifth year in a row in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Her participation in the “golden helmet year” of the annual fundraising event came just a week after undergoing surgery to remove a small tumour at the base of her skull.
Apart from being tired from the 200-km, two-day ride, Carmichael was feeling healthy and in good spirits Sunday afternoon, and proud to have raised more funds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
Over the past five years, Carmichael has raised more than $50,000 for cancer research and treatment through the event — an amount she feels she has benefited directly from, as she has undergone treatment for brain cancer.
“I’ve had really, really good treatment over the past five years,” she said in a phone interview following the ride, noting treatment for brain cancer has advanced “incredibly” since her diagnosis.
Taking part in the fundraiser is also an emotional experience, Carmichael said. Friends and family members have joined her over the past few years in riding to raise funds as part of a team called the Brainiacs.
“When you do receive a donation from somebody, it’s more than just money — it’s like someone loves you and cares about you and is there to support you and has your back, ” she said.
“That’s how it feels. It feels like I’m not battling this on my own. I’m battling it with a much, much larger number.”
Myka Osinchuk, the CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation, said 1,400 people took part in this year’s ride, raising $6.3 million.
“We see it as a huge success,” she said.
“Obviously, we all know the great, great challenges that Alberta is having and that Albertans are having, but the fact that this is such a personal cause to people that in this economy we can raise $6.3 million for cutting edge research and enhanced care that people receive right in Alberta’s 17 cancer centres is absolutely tremendous.”
Osinchuk said one in two Albertans will get cancer in their lifetime, and 43 Albertans every day receive a cancer diagnosis.
Carmichael, who has continued to work full time through her cancer treatment and enjoys cycling and doing triathlons, noted cancer can affect anyone.
“When I’m out in public, you wouldn’t know that I have it,” she said. “Anybody can be diagnosed, anybody can have cancer. It doesn’t depend on gender, age, anything.”
Carmichael, who will turn 30 next week, credits the support of her family and friends in helping her “overcome the odds” over the past five years.
“I think that a lot of people have this idea that once you have cancer you’re kind of put in this bucket and then it’s hard to get out of,” she said. “And I really do believe that I will beat cancer, and that this event is making a difference. And all the money raised — it’s extending my life.”
Funds raised through the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer help the Alberta Cancer Foundation to support cancer research, clinical trials, enhanced care and the discovery of new cancer therapies.
This year was the eighth annual ride in Alberta. The event has raised more than $60 million since 2009.