NEWS RELEASE
CYCLING 4 CHEMO CHAIRS
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A Canadian wheelchair athlete and cancer survivor will be traversing through 10 Southern Ontario communities in September – including Fergus Sept. 22 and Elora Sept. 26 — to raise money for the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre (GRRCC).
Cyndy McLean, a Guelph resident and passionate advocate for cancer patients and spinal cord injury awareness, initiated the 10 x 21: Cycling 4 Chemo Chairs campaign to give back to the cancer centre that supported her through her journey.
“I want to honour everyone who cared for me and help support other people facing cancer,” she said. “And maybe offer some inspiration and hope along the way.”
A former member of Canada’s Wheelchair Tennis Team, McLean was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer in 2018. After undergoing surgery to remove 2/3 of her liver and 18 inches of colon, she had 21 chemotherapy treatments over a 10-month period at GRRCC.
Marking the five-year anniversary of her treatment, she is now raising funds to help the GRRCC. Over 21 days in September, McLean will undertake 10 handcycle rides, each 21 kilometers long, across local communities. These rides symbolize the 10 months and 21 treatments she received.
She will ride a specially designed trike, powered by her arms, as she lives with paraplegia. McLean suffered a spinal cord injury in 2003 after she and her dog fell off a cliff into a gorge. While her dog was unharmed, the 80-foot fall left McLean paralyzed from the waist down.
In each location, a dedicated team of local ambassadors will support her—individuals who have experienced cancer themselves or supported a loved one through it.
McLean and the ambassadors are asking people inspired by their efforts to help them raise funds for new specialized chemotherapy chairs for the GRRCC, which cost more than $7,000 each.
“A chemotherapy chair is so important to people undergoing treatment,” McLean said.
“They have to be comfortable and functional for the patient because they will be sitting in it for hours at a time. But it also needs to be very ergonomically designed so that health care workers who are providing chemotherapy can do that in a safe and productive way.”
McLean’s goal of raising enough funds to purchase four chairs inspired the title “10x21: Cycling 4 Chemo Chairs.” 100% of donations will go to the cancer centre; contributions can be made through the Grand River Hospital Foundation at: www.cycling4chemochairs.ca.
Beyond fundraising, McLean aims to offer inspiration and hope by sharing with others her experiences with cancer and paraplegia.
A former marathon runner, McLean turned to wheelchair tennis, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and handcycling to stay active. She became an ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation, brought the fundraising Wheels in Motion event to the Guelph region, and received a Women of Distinction Award from the YMCA-YWCA of Guelph.
“People often find themselves facing unexpected challenges, whether it be cancer, an accident, or other life-changing experiences,” McLean said. “These challenges affect not only the individual but also their
families, friends, and loved ones. Having help along the way, whether from a place like the GRRCC or the community in general, makes a world of difference. 10x21: Cycling 4 Chemo Chairs is a way to let people know they are not alone. It shows that others understand their struggles and emphasizes the strength of togetherness.”
McLean invites the community to support her initiative by donating, joining her at the rides’ kickoffs, or helping spread the word. She is also seeking more community ambassadors to get involved, share their stories and help promote the effort.
The 10 x 21: Cycling 4 Chemo Chairs will be coming to your community soon! The complete schedule is:
- Guelph, Sept. 9
- Cambridge, Sept. 11
- Elmira, Sept. 13
- Listowel, Sept. 16
- Kitchener, Sept. 19
- Fergus, Sept. 22
- Waterloo, Sept. 24
- Elora, Sept. 26
- Millbank/Linwood, Sept. 28
- Grand River Regional Cancer Centre finale, Sept. 30
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