Jarrod Russell is getting back on his bike to continue fighting cancer.
Russell is taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge for his fifth year and is raising money for the SickKids Foundation. In the past four years of participating, Russell pedalled over 4,160 km in his recumbent bike and raised over $112,500 for childhood cancer research.
“I ride for sick kids. That’s my main goal. I’m a childhood cancer survivor and I thought it was right to help out and ride for kids that don’t have a future and are in the hospital.”
At the age of four, Russell was diagnosed with Grade III astrocytoma, a type of tumor that can happen in the brain or spine. It took three surgeries and radiation to remove the tumor.
“The money I have raised is helping kids fighting cancer look to a brighter future, one they deserve.”
The challenge was first introduce to him by his brother-in-law in 2016 and since then Russell has been a top fundraiser in the country. This year, the event was pushed back to August 1 as a proactive measure against COVID-19.
Last year, a family and friends day was held to support the fundraiser. Russell was planning to hold a similar celebration for his fifth year but will be holding off on it until next year.
Since its inception in 2016, the Great Cycle Challenge has raised over $12 million to support research for a cure for childhood cancer.
