September 24, 2007
BC Cancer Foundation Tour of Courage featuring Lance Armstrong raises $2 million for blood cancer research. Wedgewood Hotel Cycling Team Raises $25,000
Sept 24, 2007 Vancouver, B.C. – Kelowna-Mission MLA and cancer survivor Sindi Hawkins’ dream came true this weekend with the arrival in B.C. of cycling star Lance Armstrong to headline the BC Cancer Foundation Tour of Courage. “I promised myself when I got better that I would raise a lot of funds for the doctors who saved me so they could help others,” she said. “I dreamed of having the biggest cancer advocate on the planet to help me do it—dreams do come true.”
Lance Armstrong said, “This is a great opportunity to help the work being done at the BC Cancer Foundation. It’s rare to see such passion in a group of people, and we need passionate people to help fight this war. I’m excited to help out.”
The BC Cancer Foundation raised over $1.8 million for blood cancer research in its first Tour of Courage weekend. The cycling fundraiser featured the world-famous cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France champion in an 80-km challenge ride through the Kelowna area Saturday and a community ride through Vancouver’s UBC and Pacific Spirit Park this morning.
Wedgewood Hotel General Manager Philip Meyer led off the ride with Lance Armstrong & Premier Gordon Campbell with members of the hotel’s cycling team followed by hundreds of other cyclists. Meyer was one of the driving forces behind the event and rode the full 90km community ride with his good friend Axel Merckx, son of five time Tour de France winner, Eddy Merckx.
“Cancer is a disease that touches each and every one of us directly or indirectly,” said Premier Gordon Campbell, honorary chair of the event. “However, with courage and hope of people like Lance Armstrong and Sindi Hawkins, we will defeat this disease. It was an honour to participate in the BC Cancer Foundation Tour of Courage community ride today and I thank everyone involved for not only raising vital funds but also raising important awareness about this disease that impacts so many of us.”
BC Cancer Foundation interim president Nick Locke also thanked the event sponsors and Lance Armstrong. “You are a true inspiration,” he said, “as is Sindi Hawkins, who chaired the BC Cancer Foundation Tour of Courage committee. We cannot thank you enough. The over $1.8 million we raised today will make a significant difference in how we are able to treat blood cancers not just here in B.C. but around the world.”
Nearly 1,000 people in B.C. and over 7,000 Canadians are diagnosed every year with blood cancers such as leukemia, myeloma or aggressive lymphoma. The BC Cancer Agency research funded by the BC Cancer Foundation Tour of Courage may fundamentally change how blood cancers are diagnosed and treated.
The Wedgewood Hotel Cycling Team raises money for the BC Cancer Foundation throughout the year with its events in Vancouver such as The Westside Cycling Classic, Tour de Gastown & An Evening of Champions, more information on the team can be found at http://www.teamwedgewood.com
Established in 1935, the BC Cancer Foundation raises funds for research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency throughout B.C. The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides a cancer control program for everyone in British Columbia.
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For more information or pictures contact:
Philip Meyer
General Manager
Wedgewood Hotel
http://www.wedgewoodhotel.com
Ph: 604-608-5311
Fx: 604-608-5349
