NC spirit was on full display between September 1 and 13, as 15 NC staff and faculty participated in Niagara Health Foundation’s annual Big Move Cancer Ride. This year, the event was held virtually with cyclists riding on their own time during the 13-day event period.
Although COVID-19 restrictions prevented NC’s Big Move team from riding as a united front, the revised format presented the team with an opportunity to be ‘NC together’ in a new way.
Mike Pasquale, manager, Strategic Procurement, hosted a 50-kilometre group ride on September 6 and was joined by CFWI dean Craig Youdale and Sasha (Oleksandra) Gora from International.
NC president Sean Kennedy, vice president, Academic Fiona Allan and vice president, Research and External Relations Marc Nantel ventured out on September 12 for a 50-kilometre loop from the International Flatwater Centre in Welland. “Beautiful weather and a great time was had by all,” said Nantel.
A graphic of Janet Pizzati’s first 50-km route on the Strava app.
Janet Pizzati, manager, Student Financials, completed her very first 50-kilometre ride, an accomplishment she is incredibly proud of. She rode with a personal friend, but was motivated by the team’s camaraderie and is pleased with its fundraising efforts, bringing in more than $3,500.
“We really look forward to putting in a team again next year,” said Pizzati. “Although the circumstances for this year were very different, we were very pleased to contribute to the cause and we thank the Big Move Cancer Ride committee for arranging a virtual format due to COVID-19.”
Joanne Maltby, regional manager, South Asia, who had to park her bike due to an injury, is looking ahead to next year’s event along with her fellow team leads Pasquale and Pizzati. They hope to start organizing training rides as early as April or May 2021 and encourage NC faculty and staff of all cycling levels to join in. The team will also put out a call at that time for anyone interested in ordering a custom NC cycling jersey.
In the meantime, donations are being accepted until October 31 for the 2020 event.
More than 300 cyclists participated in the 2020 virtual Big Move Cancer Ride in support of Niagara Health’s Walker Family Cancer Centre, raising nearly $300,000 and counting. Funds support local cancer care in Niagara making it possible for more than 2,500 Niagara residents diagnosed each year to receive a full spectrum of cancer services, including radiation treatment, close-to-home.
