Becel Ride for Heart raises $3.3-million
Posted June 6, 2010 2:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – 13,000 cyclists, joggers and walkers came together in the rain, Sunday, to take part in the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario’s 23rd Annual Becel Heart&Stroke Ride for Heart.
The group travelled along the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway to raise money for medical research, social change, and education to prevent and reduce the amount of deaths and disabilities caused by heart disease and stroke.
This was the first year the charitable event was sold out.
$3.3-million dollars was raised for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, which is above the projected $3.1-million and surpassing the 2009 total amount raised of $3-million.
Toronto is the only city that hosts the Ride for Heart in Canada.
Dr. Marco Di Buono, the Director of Research for the Heart and Stroke foundation of Ontario told 680News that although the event used to take place across the country, Toronto is the only location now.
“Unfortunately this is the only city, the only RIDE, that has really lasted for the 23 years since we initially launched the Ride for Heart. We used to have several going on at the same time at different cities but unfortunately due to participation rates, Toronto is the only one that happens across the entire country.” said Dr. Di Buono.
Although many motorists voiced complaints over shutting down the two major highways into the downtown core, Dr. Di Buono is thankful for their patience says the good cause is worth it.
“It’s defiantly worth it, it’s a good cause. Even the people who don’t fundraise, who put up with it patiently while we close the two major arteries, they are equally as supportive in allowing us to do this. It just shows that 13,000 people registered to capacity. It just shows how much people are interested in participating in an event like this and keeping it ongoing for future years.” said Dr. Di Buono.
Lori-Ann Muenzer, one of Canada’s top cyclists in the 2004 Olympic Games, was the Captain for the RIDE this year.
Both the Gardiner and the Don Valley Parkway were closed from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the event.
