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GearUp4CF charity ride rolling through region
The Vancouver Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada is pleased to host the 11th annual GearUp4CF charity ride to help raise funds for critical cystic fibrosis (CF) research and care.
GearUp4CF is a cycling event with multiple distance categories that takes place between Vancouver and Banff from June 18 – 26, with riders rolling through Cranbrook and up to the Columbia Valley before heading to Banff.
It is a fully supported ride with support vehicles, accommodations, and food provided. Participants of all cycling levels are welcome.
“We have come so far in our fight against cystic fibrosis,” said Janet Antonio, Executive Director, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Western Region. “Researchers are attacking cystic fibrosis on many fronts. In 2016/2017, Cystic Fibrosis Canada will fund $5.1 million in leading-edge research, but there is still so much more work to do.”
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease among Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure. In the 1960s, most Canadian children with CF did not live long enough to attend kindergarten. Now, many Canadians with CF are living well into their fifties and beyond, but far too many lives are still cut short.
Every year family and friends of Canadians with cystic fibrosis come together for GearUp4CF to cycle and raise funds in support of life-giving cystic fibrosis research. This event started in 2006 with 11 riders who raised $20,000 and has grown every year since. Thanks to riders, supporters and sponsors the 2015 ride was able to raise more than to $275,000. Since its inception ten years ago, GearUp4CF has raised over $1.75 million for vital cystic fibrosis research and clinical care.
Ride schedule
June 18: Vancouver to Chilliwack
June 19: Chilliwack to Manning Park
June 20: Manning Park to Osoyoos
June 21: Osoyoos to Grand Forks
June 22: Grand Forks to Rossland
June 23: Rossland to Creston
June 24: Creston to Cranbrook
June 25: Cranbrook to Invermere
June 26: Invermere to Banff
To register and/or make a donation.
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. It is a multi-system disease that affects mainly the lungs and the digestive system. In the lungs, where the effects are most devastating, a build-up of thick mucus causes severe respiratory problems. Mucus also builds up in the digestive tract, making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. As improved therapies have helped to address the malnutrition issues, ultimately most deaths related to cystic fibrosis are due to lung disease. There is no cure.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada Cystic Fibrosis Canada is one of the world’s top three charitable organizations committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and is an internationally-recognized leader in funding CF research, innovation, and clinical care. We invest more funding in life-saving CF research and care than any other non-governmental agency in Canada. Since 1960, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has invested more than $235 million in leading research, care and advocacy, resulting in one of the world’s highest survival rates for Canadians living with cystic fibrosis. For more information, visit cysticfibrosis.ca.
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