Built by volunteers to benefit the cancer community the following is our history from 2002 – present.

2002
Like so many families, Jeff Rushton had encounters with cancer.  To mark his 40th birthday, Jeff set out with his good friend, Kevin Wallace, to turn their passion for cycling into a rally against cancer.  With relatively little forethought, and as much training, the duo set out on bikes from California in January 2002 with their sights on reaching the Atlantic.  The banner on their trailing motor home read, "Coast to Coast Against Cancer".  Twenty four days later they dipped their wheels in the ocean off Florida's east coast, having raised $185,000 which was distributed between the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Canadian cancer charities.
To view the 2002 Coast to Coast Against Cancer website, click here

2003
In the fall of 2002, Fredrik Carlberg and Scott Graham along with two other friends signed on with Rushton and Wallace to cycle across Canada in the summer of 2003.  In this edition of Coast to Coast Against Cancer, the six riders took turns riding in pairs, non-stop, covering 7200 km”s in 241 hours.  To field this expedition, a road crew of five was enlisted including navigator Ron Mitchell, a transport truck to carry provisions, and a motor home.  Overwhelming public support was fueled by a comprehensive PR campaign that resulted in national TV, radio and print coverage.  Once on the road, a dynamic web site engaged the audience stirring dedications to cancer fighters raising $510,000 in support of childhood cancer.
To view the 2003 Coast to Coast Against Cancer website, click here

2004
Coming off an emotionally stirring 2003 adventure, the team sought to build a scalable tour event that could enable hundreds of people to share a similar experience.The result was Tour For Kids,  a 4-day, fully supported, 800km tour through cottage country and pastoral farmlands of Ontario.  The route took participants to the very people their fundraising would support, the children at three camps dedicated to helping kids with cancer. The slogan was befitting; “Ride Somewhere Meaningful”. Corporate sponsorship funds which, in turn, were used to offset most of the Tour’s operating costs.  Riders paid a nominal registration fee, well below the value of the adventure, in return for raising a minimum of $1000 in donations.  Over $250,000 was raised with funds split between three childhood cancer charities focused on camping and support programs: Camp Trillium, Camp Quality and Camp Oochiegeas.

Also in June of 2004, Jeff and Kevin, took their Coast to Coast Against Cancer fundraising enthusiasm into Race Across America (RAAM), a grueling endurance cycling challenge.  Setting the 2-man record for RAAM by completing the 5,000 kilometers in just over 6 days 14 hours, they raised funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (L.A.F) and Canadian cancer charities.

2005
Tour For Kids grew substantially in ridership, volunteerism and fundraising.  In 2005, the 4-day comprehensive event culminated at Canada's Wonderland with a benefit concert by The Barenaked Ladies for riders, their families, the cancer community and hundreds of disadvantaged children.  Tour for Kids raised $500,000 for the three oncology camps and also generated increased awareness because of the extensive media coverage throughout Ontario (media experts valued the coverage at more than $2 million)

2006
Tour For Kids sold out months in advance and fundraising surpassed previous years’ donations amassing a total of $850,000.  Tour for Kids is the single largest source of revenue for two of the three beneficiary oncology camps and has enabled commitments to numerous long-term camp programmes.

Tour For Kids proved to be an effective model for attracting accomplished cyclists to the cancer cause.  However, many recreational riders remained on the sidelines.  As a result, the Coast to Coast team launched Team R.A.C.E. (Race Against Cancer Everywhere) a grass-roots movement that blends passion for cycling with compassion for people living with and beyond cancer.  In its first year, Team RACE membership boasted cyclists of all abilities, from novice to an entire team of national and world-class athletes including past Olympian and Tour de France stage winner, Steve Bauer. Members are required to generate funds for a cancer charity of their choosing.

Team RACE member, Kevin Wallace returned to the RAAM arena in 2006 competing in the solo category. Clad in a hot pink Team RACE uniform, Kevin raced non-stop across the States raising $250,000 for a cancer treatment facility named in his mother’s honour.  Among other media attention, Kevin’s’ quest was documented by Globe and Mail reporter Oliver Moore who was embedded with the team and wrote a daily column for the Globe.  CBC television also provided extensive ongoing coverage of Kevin’s race.

2007
The umbrella brand, Coast to Coast Against Cancer received Canadian Foundation status. The Foundation also hired long-time contributor Louisa Cantelon as National Events Director to manage the increasing number of fund-raising programs.

The Inside Ride  is launched.  This portable, turnkey indoor cycling challenge targets high school and workplace audiences.  Riding stationary bikes, teams of participants fundraise and joust for prizes. Demand has been so great for this exciting and fun program that Inside Ride is now two years ahead of plan, adding more volunteer event crews to fulfill the swell in booking requests.

Once again, the 2007 Tour For Kids will sell out despite increasing the maximum number of riders by an additional 25%. For participants, Tour For kids is equal parts epic cycling adventure and strong sense of community with children with cancer.

Ride for Karen, an affiliated program, a successful 1-day cycling event moves under the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation umbrella.  Launched in 2002 by Kris and Kirk Tobias, Ride for Karen is an annual cycling event that is held as a tribute to the life and legacy of their mother Karen Tobias. It has raised over $425,000 used to help build and furnish new cancer care facilities, provide much needed resources for cancer support centres and send kids with cancer to camp.

Tour for Kids Alberta will be launched July 2007 using the proven and scaleable Ontario model. The recipient of funds raised is Kids Cancer Care Foundation of AlbertaThis is the first stepping stone to building a national presence for Tour For Kids across Canada.

Plans are already in development for several expanded activities in 2008, including an all new national cycling event for 2008, Sears National Kids Cancer Ride ,  expanding Tour for Kids events to more provinces, expanding Inside Ride with a new national sponsor, and building a national board for the foundation.