ALS Cycle of Hope Awareness Journey 2015

August 4th, 2015

A copy of the ALS Cycle of Hope  – Press Release

The ALS Cycle of Hope was founded four years ago by Cindy Lister. Personally affected by ALS, Lister lost her dad to this devastating disease. Propelled to support other families going through this difficult journey, Lister along with co-founder Robin Farell and a group of 12 cyclists, ride across BC on a seven day cycling trip to raise money and awareness for ALS. Their mission is to raise $80,000 for ALS research and services.

“I remain incredibly passionate about raising ALS awareness and inspiring hope for families living with ALS. Even if my own personal healing still includes sadness, it is now also filled with excitement and hope.” Cindy Lister, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, ALS Cycle of Hope

This year, the ALS Cycle of Hope needed to amend its ALS awareness journey in order to fulfil its fundraising goals. The team is excited to include 2 local rides in and around Greater Victoria to connect with our sponsors and community supporters. The ALSCycle of Hope Society stands committed to the cause and is embracing this new journey.

The new routes and destinations include many special gatherings and opportunities for families who want to connect with the riders:

• August 5th: GREATER VICTORIA/DUNCAN/COWICHAN– Departing Accent Inns (sponsor), 3233 Maple St., at 8am and riding through Victoria, Cobble Hill and Duncan. A celebration will be hosted by Country Grocer (community supporter), 1153 Esquimalt Rd, at 2pm. Come join us for cake!
• August 6th: GREATER VICTORIA– Departing Trek Bikes (sponsor), 338 Catherine St., at 8am and riding through Greater Victoria, North Saanich and Esquimalt. Stopping at Bottle Depot, 4261 Glanford Ave, at 11:00 am
• August 8th: VERNON– Cycling from Vernon to Kelowna. Join us at our pre-event reception at Fresh Air Concept from 6-9pm.

August 9th: KELOWNA – Kelowna Community Rides(30km or 70km)

Join the Rides – Who are you riding for?

Join the ALS Cycle of Hope team at the Kelowna Community Rides and help raise ALS awareness and inspire hope for families living with ALS.

Each of the two distances, 30km and 70km “McGinn Route” will enjoy rest stops at the Lavender Farm and the Spierhead Winery to fuel up before heading back to FreshAir to celebrate! For more information and online registration, please visit www.cycleofhope.ca

“Riding your bike is fun, but riding your bike to raise awareness and inspire hope for families through the ALS Cycle of Hope is like nothing you will ever experience. It will make you rise up to challenges, physical and emotional, that you didn’t think you could do. It will change your life.” Robin Farrell, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, ALS Cycle of Hope

Join the 2015 ALS Cycle of Hope team for this amazing event!

About ALS
ALS is a neurodegenerative disease where the nerve cells that control your muscles die. The ‘living wires’ which connect your brain to your muscles degenerate, leading to a loss of mobility, loss of speech and eventually impact the ability to breathe.

This is a terminal disease. ALS does not have a cure or an effective treatment. In Canada, approximately 2500-3000 Canadians are living with ALS; 1000 will succumb to the disease and 1000 will be newly diagnosed each year. The lifespan after diagnosis is on average two to five years.

If you have any questions, please contact Kathryn Rodgers, Signature Events Manager, ALS Canada at 1.800.267.4257 x228 [email protected]