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The 2023 Tour de Cure raised over $7 million to support BC Cancer.

Photo courtesy BC Cancer Foundation

2023 Tour de Cure fundraises over $7 million

By Matthew Cheung

Published 12:50 PDT, Tue September 12, 2023

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On Aug. 26 to 27, the Tour de Cure, presented by Wheaton Precious Metals raised over $7 million to support BC Cancer research. Starting in Cloverdale, the province’s largest cycling fundraiser, played host to over 1,500 cyclists, cycling for two days before ending in Hope. With support from the community, donors, and partners, riders set out for their two-day journey, riding approximately 200 to 260 kilometres depending on where their route takes them. On average, cyclists ride 100 kilometres per day. To date, the annual event has raised over $120 million since it was first created in 2009.

The Tour de Cure was once known as the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Since 2009, over 1,500 cyclists from across the province participate in the event to fundraise money to further cancer research. Participants include current and past patients, loved ones of those who have faced cancer, and BC Cancer staff.

Richmond’s own Dennis Soriano is one of said participants who participated in his 11th Tour de Cure to honour his father who had unexpectedly been diagnosed with cancer before passing away a few weeks later and his mother who is a cancer survivor.

“This year's Tour de Cure event saw a return to the two-day format. For myself, it brought back many great memories of the 10 previous years I have taken part in the ride. While out on the ride, I often reflect about the people my donors and I ride for. In my case, I ride for my mother who is a cancer survivor and for my father, who passed away just over a year ago due to cancer. From the energy and emotion of the opening ceremonies to the amazing time at camp and then onto such an emotional experience at the finish line, the Tour de Cure is definitely an experience I recommend everyone to take part in. Overall, the event was well supported with support vehicles and personnel highly visible along the route. The pit and lunch stops were well stocked with food and liquids to keep you going throughout the day,” said Soriano.

“Approximately 45 riders from Richmond participated in the 2023 ride,” said Sarah Roth, president and chief executive officer of the BC Cancer Foundation.

The money raised by the Tour de Cure is used by BC Cancer to power life-saving research and enhancements to care in British Columbia.

“The funds raised this year will continue to support critical programs at BC Cancer, including areas like lymphoma, brain, and childhood cancers research,” said Roth. “Tour de Cure benefits the BC Cancer Foundation in support of BC Cancer, which provides life-saving care to patients across the province, including those from Richmond.”

Although the event has come to an end, readers can visit bccancerfoundation.com/ to learn more or make a donation.

For those who missed the Tour de Cure, fear not as registration for the 2024 Tour de Cure has opened on tourdecure.ca/