Today we had our first look inside the SickKids Hospital Research and Learning Tower, which is currently in production at the corner of Bay and Elm St. downtown Toronto.
Our foundation has committed to funding at least $1 Million Dollars in support of the Research and Learning Tower’s Pediatric Oncology Research Hub on behalf of both the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation and Jenna’s Angels.
Thanks to all of our donors, sponsors, participants, ambassadors and volunteers who are making this possible!
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| The Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation Team at SickKids Research Tower! | Inside Research Tower |
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| Outside the new SickKids Research Tower | Thanks to Wayne Walker (left), Ryan Baillie (right) and Erin Jacques (absent) for arranging our tour of the site |
Jan 12
11
The Time is Now!
Registration for Tour For Kids 2012 is now open!
New for 2012:
- Hold the fees! Unchanged registration fees from 2011!
- Brand new route through the Muskokas for Tour For Kids Ontario!
- Tour For Kids Triple Crown: Register for all 3 events at reduced fees and fundraising levels!
Be sure to register early and reserve a spot as space is limited.
Please register at www.tourforkids.com for more information.
Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of children living with and beyond cancer!
Jan 12
2
Coast to Coast 2011 in Pictures
Thank you for an amazing 2011 year of events on behalf of kids living with and beyond cancer! We hope you will join us again in 2012 as a participant, volunteer or sponsor and help make a difference in the lives of these kids! Enjoy some of our favorite photos from 2011. What was your favorite picture?
Dec 11
23
Happy Holidays 2011!
A SPECIAL YEAR END THANK YOU:
Sponsors, Volunteers, Donors and Event Participants!
The end of 2011 is almost upon us, and Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation (‘CTCACF’) is celebrating a truly amazing year, raising and distributing over $5,000,000 for deserving childhood cancer charities across Canada! We just couldn’t have done this without you, our amazing sponsors, donors, volunteers, and participants.
Together this year, we have visited hundreds of communities across the country, engaged over 15,000 participants in our events, worked with hundreds of volunteers and processed over 75,000 individual donations. Together, we have collected millions of dollars for childhood cancer and distributed 100% of every single donation we raised to the cancer charities we support across Canada. Together, we have made a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of children and their families living with and beyond cancer.
Some of the highlights of 2011 include:
- Donating $5,000,000 to kids cancer charities in every province across Canada
- Donating $750,000 to national childhood cancer research programs, one of the largest private donations to pediatric oncology cancer research in Canada
- A $500,000 donation to the new Pediatric Oncology Research Tower at Toronto Sick Kids Hospital (part of our $1 Million commitment over 5 years)
- Sold out events for Tour for Kids Alberta, Ontario and our inaugural Tour for Kids Atlantic, as well as many of our Inside Ride events,
- Increased participation and fundraising across our events in 2011
- Continue to be the principal or major donor to many of the childhood cancer camps in Ontario, Alberta and Atlantic regions
- Committed to be a significant financial commitment to support families undergoing the devastating financial burden of living with the battle against this disease
- And funded a variety of other childhood cancer programs that will have a significant impact on kids well-being and survival
- In total we will be distributing 100% of all our receiptable and non-receiptable donations for 2011, unheard of for a organization of our size and scope!
Since its inception, Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation has raised over $25 million to support charities across Canada that collectively help children across this country fighting this devastating disease.
Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation distributes donations to both local and national cancer programs to provide a total 360 degree level of support:
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Distribution of Donations 2011 |
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We look forward to seeing all of you at our events in 2012, which marks our 10th anniversary of raising funds for children and their families impacted by cancer. Until then from all of us and the 10,000 families across Canada living with kids cancer we want to thank you for all you did to make a difference in 2011.
Please check out our “Coast to Coast at a glance” post!
Have a truly amazing Holiday Season
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| Jeff Rushton Founder, Chair and Passionate Volunteer Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation jeff.rushton@ctcacf.org |
Steven Sokolowski Founder, Board Member and Passionate Volunteer Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation steven.sokolowski@ctcacf.org |
And from all our friends at the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation
Dec 11
19
Coast to Coast at a glance
Please take a look at this fun infographic that gives a quick glimpse into what the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation is all about. Please feel free to share this infographic – and help put an end to childhood cancer!
Dec 11
2
Man in Motion Difference Makers
Our most favorite tandem are at it again! An exciting day today for two of our wonderful cyclists. Mark Burger and Josh Nelson, Sears National Kids Cancer Riders in 2010 and 2011, participated in the 25th anniversary of the Man in Motion Relay! Mark and Josh were also featured tonight on CTV as two of the chosen Difference Makers for the 25th anniversary of the Man in Motion Relay across Canada. You guys are awesome and our heroes!
Nov 11
24
Top 30 Reasons to Join Tour for Kids
We know it’s early to be thinking about Tour for Kids 2012, but we wanted to remind you about why Tour for Kids 2011 was so special! We hope you will take these reasons and make sure to sign up for Tour for Kids in 2012! Registration details will be coming soon! Stay tuned!
Ontario:
- Sunday’s breakfast at Camp White Pine – 6 AM never tasted so sweet. Pain au chocolat – unbelievable!
- Having Josh Nelson speak about his upcoming journey across Canada on a tandem with his Sears National Kids Cancer Ride team standing behind him
- Meeting the Wilson’s, who had never volunteered with us before but responded to our Facebook call for Crew help, and are now a part of our Tour for Kids family.
- Enjoying a taste of Tour for Kids Atlantic – having Larry and Tracy from Cape Breton play well in to the night on Saturday with hilarious banter to boot.
- Our Rest Stop themes! The costumes, the music, the energy…..unstoppable.
- Seeing Saturday’s flash mob – they cycle, they volunteer, and they dance! TFK participants do it all.
- Seeing ambassador Adam Mason cycle 300 km’s, despite the fact that his longest training ride before TFK was 30km!
- Seeing all of our new riders welcomed in to the Tour for Kids experience!
- Having ambassador Adam Fedosoff and his family greeting cyclists at the rainy Finish Line on Sunday afternoon.
- Meeting the 550 people who raised $1.7 million dollars and knowing exactly how much joy it will bring kids who attend Camp Trillium, Camp Quality and Camp Oochigeas.
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Atlantic:
- The ingenuity of the finish line band when they realized they forgot their mic stand, and got creative by
making one out of old hockey sticks and tape! - When Hannah called dibs on volunteering for next year’s event before we even crossed our finish line!
- The Margaree Fire Hall volunteers deciding to surprise us with a firetruck escort (sirens and all) into the rest stop!
- When the last cycling group came in on Saturday after a challenging 8 hour ride through the mountains!
- When Ed came up with the brilliant idea of creating a Tour for Kids billeting system to help ease the financial burden of families who have to travel for medical reasons.
- Hearing Wade from Investors Group speak about the value of the event to Atlantic Canadians and then seeing him work tirelessly behind the scenes to support the riders all weekend!
- Learning that the mountains we climbed on Day 2 ranked as Category 2 and Category 3 on the scale that the Tour de France uses!
- The “heavy backpack” analogy that was used by our representative from the Lion’s Sick Children’s Fund to help us understand how much financial support can benefit sick kids and their families.
- Jeff Rushton, co-founder of Coast to Coast, pushing Ashley Ward, co-founder of GIVETOLIVE, up MacKenzie mountain showing the true spirit of no cyclist left behind.
- When top fundraisers Jeff and Greg decided to give their prize (two free flights) to Remi, whose 4 year old son has battled a brain tumor. Remi then came up to the organizers and said “We have been so blessed that our son got better, and there are people who need this more than us. Let’s auction off the plane tickets and use the money to help more sick kids.” Amazing!
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Alberta:
- Having so many Kids Cancer Care families participate in the tour either as riders or volunteers – awesome!
- Waking up Saturday morning to the breathtaking view at David Thompson Resort.
- Hearing all the amazing dedications that remind us of why we do Tour for Kids . . . thank you Lynn, Radu Family, Danielle, Taylor, Ryan, Heather and Jeff for your inspirational words.
- Learning all about the benefits of bum cream J
- Spending time with all the incredible riders and hearing why they ride in the tour.
- Seeing everyone’s faces as they got off of the bus and saw Camp Kindle for the first time – it was a tremendous experience spending a night at Camp and showing the riders exactly where their fundraising dollars are going towards.
- Watching Jeff do the giant swing!!
- Having a full-on jam session at the camp fire, bongos and all!
- Cheering on the riders as they crossed the finish line at Rockpointe Church after completing the tour.
- Sharing a beer with the Coast to Coast team after another successful Tour for Kids Alberta.
Posted in Coast to Coast Events Foundation News Guest Blogger Tour for Kids by .
Nov 11
11
Change the Story
Please watch this touching video of making a difference for kids living with and beyond cancer. We are blessed to know Patrick Sullivan, a 2011 Sears National Kids Cancer Rider and his incredible story. Let’s change the story:
Oct 11
12
Coast to Coast and New York Fries
We asked our friends at New York Fries to illustrate what supporting the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation and the kids living with and beyond cancer means to them as a company:
By Craig Burt, VP Operations at New York Fries
New York Fries’ involvement started in 2007 when we created the first rider and volunteer team for the Ontario Tour for Kids. Peter Goodman, a long time New York Fries employee and member of my Operations team had participated in the tour the previous year as a rider. After hearing about the event from Peter, I offered to help by contributing some sleeping quarters for the 3 riders in my RV. From there, we had the idea to create a New York Fries team. Jay Gould, NYF’s president and founder, recognized the need for supporting the camps and had already been a staunch supporter of Camp Oochigeas for many years, so getting New York Fries to support our team was a fairly easy hurdle to overcome. We then reached out to NYF’s head office, suppliers and partners to donate product and raise money for the cause.
I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. The experience was simply amazing for a whole host of reasons. From the stories, dedications and family experiences I was simply blown away by the impact the foundation had on the lives of these incredible kids. The passion and commitment from everyone, volunteers, organizers, the riders and the camps themselves were things I had never seen or experienced. Everyone was pulling for the same goal to help the kids. The teamwork attitude, “dig in and help to get it done” was the mantra that everyone, and I mean everyone, lived by for those 4 days. At every turn someone was there to help, a rider, a volunteer or an organizer, I had never experienced such passion. Simply put – I was completely overwhelmed and inspired to be a part of this great organization.
During that first Tour For Kids, founder Jeff Rushton presented a detail outline of the inaugural Coast to Coast event being planned for the next year. It’s hard to explain but I wanted NYF to be a part of that event as soon as I saw it. With such a short time with the group they had literally made me a champion for the cause. Ultimately, the powers that be at NYF agreed that this was the right cause for our company to support. The 2008 National Kids Cancer Ride had New York Fries as a key supporter and has been a key foundation sponsor each year since.
The evolution of the Foundation over the past 5 years has been incredible, with ever increasing events and properties to support. Our South St. Burger Co. brand began supporting, and sponsoring the Ontario, and eventually Alberta Tour for Kids events. After three years as a platinum sponsor of the National Kids Cancer Ride, New York Fries shifted our efforts and decided to co-sponsor a new event called the National Inside Ride Tour with LG Electronics. This event proved to be a great fit for us. Since the 20 events toured in markets in which we operate and the funds stay in that community to support local childhood cancer, we felt it was a great way for our franchisees to give back to their local communities within the umbrella of a national charity event. In addition, the company continues to support all of the Coast to Coast Foundation properties through volunteerism and donations to the various events.
The need for support is great. So many kids are diagnosed each year and support to childhood cancers is relatively weak in Canada. These kids and their families really do need a champion to support them through the worst time of their lives. This is why the cause will always be a passion for me since I have been blessed with 5 healthy and active kids. I can’t think of a better cause to offer our support, helping kids beat this horrible disease and give them and their families hope.
As the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride went from Vancouver to Halifax in 16 days, we knew the impact it would make on Canadians along the way and how much it means to the kids living with and beyond cancer. We’ve compiled our top moments from the 2011 national ride – what was your favorite moment?
The amazing 150 Rest Stops we visited from Abbotsford BC to Charlottetown PEI. A truly cross country event where we saw many familiar faces like Sue in Kipling, Cameron in Brantford, Tom in Montreal and Jill in Fredericton. We were also introduced to new friends Jason in Sorrento, Michelle in Barrie and Stephanie in Moncton to name a few. Thank you for being generous hosts and waking early to make us breakfast, staying up late to host pajama parties and making us feel special. To all the towns, arenas, parks and catalogue stores, we simply could not run this event without your help, thank you!
British Columbia
A wonderful send off in White Rock BC. The theme for our event is set by our young friend Helen who sang a beautiful rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Alberta
Team 2 doing their 300km day from Calgary to Medicine Hat
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
- Meeting Sarah and her family in Winnipeg and seeing the difference it made to them
- Visiting Crystal in Winnipeg and hearing how excited she was all day to have us visit
- Almost having my car impounded from the Winnipeg hospital (being saved by Rich and Bob because they went to the wrong address for showers)
Ontario
- Our visit to the Terry Fox Memorial including watching Josh ride up the final hill in tears
- The visit to the native school in Nipigon
- Reuniting with our friends and family in Toronto. Sept 16 started with breakfast in Brantford for Team 2 while Team 1 enjoyed a morning in Barrie. Both Teams met at Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke for a BBQ then an outstanding afternoon at Dundas Square where we reunited with the Rest of our family and friends for an Inside Ride Event.
Quebec
The visit to Louis Garneau and having him ride with us
New Brunswick
PEI
Our incredible Charlottetown stop
Nova Scotia
- Last day ride by Peggy’s Cove and into HSC/IWK/Point Pleasant
- Listening to East coast music from our extended family Larry and Tracy at our closing ceremonies at Windows, The World Trade Centre in Halifax
All the fantastic support from our sponsors
- Sears corporate and the tremendous reception from all the Sears stores
- The hospitality of the Westmont hotels
- The vehicles from GM
- SLH, SLH, SLH
- NYF and all they do
- LGE and the tablets
- TELUS for their phones and internet sticks
Thank you to our Volunteers
SNKCR 2011 Experience Video
