CNI Canadian National Railway Co

The 2018 CN Cycle for CHEO held today in Ottawa raised $1,032,490, which is the largest total in the event’s history of fundraising for support of pediatric cancer treatment and research at CHEO.

“Being able to raise over $1 million for oncology care, research and treatment at CHEO says a lot about the community we live in and our title sponsor,” explained Kevin Keohane, CHEO Foundation President and CEO.  “For the last 10 years CN has been an excellent title sponsor and partner, and we cannot thank them enough. The passion and dedication of all of our participants, volunteers and sponsors, and the impact all of these efforts have on families facing cancer is incredible.”

It was a fun-filled day ending with a cheque presentation that drew applause and cheers from a joyous crowd. The McDonald’s Dream Team, three CHEO cancer patients, were at the event and on stage for the big announcement. Five year old Joshua Wilson Mallette, 5, Anthony Farinon, 12, and Aman Sidhu, 18, represented all CHEO cancer patients during the 2018 CN Cycle for CHEO campaign and were an inspiration to all.

This year marked the 10th year of partnership between CN and the CHEO Foundation. During that time, this event has raised $7,845,691 million for cancer treatment and research truly making a difference in the lives of oncology patients at CHEO and around the world. “CN Cycle for CHEO is an event that means so much to everyone at CN,” said David Miller, assistant vice president of government affairs for CN. “Raising over $1 million to support oncology treatment at CHEO and the amazing research being done at the CHEO Research Institute is a dream come true for our company as we continue our quest to give back to the communities we serve.”

Just prior to the start of the Circle K 15K Cycle & In-line Skate the annual “Tori’s Angels” tribute was held as a memorial to all of the children at CHEO whose lives have been cut short by cancer. The tribute is named after Tori Carswell, member of the 2002 Dream Team, who lost her battle with cancer in 2004, at the age of nine. Also honoured were past Dream Team members Hannah Billings, Evan Simms and Molly Robillard who passed away.

This year over 3700 participants took part in the event and 327 teams took part in the Ottawa Citizen Team Challenge. The top corporate team is Team Ericsson who brought in a total of $71,432.81. The top non-corporate team is Team Molly who raised $32,138 and the top individual fundraiser is Maddy Wilson who raised $13,481.93. Proceeds from CN Cycle for CHEO benefit the CHEO Foundation, Candlelighters and Ronald McDonald House, and in turn, children and families affected by cancer.

Proceeds from CN Cycle for CHEO will be presented during the CHEO Telethon on CTV which airs on June 9 and 10, 2018.

Media contacts:
CN	CHEO Foundation
Patrick Waldron	Len Hanes
Senior Manager	Director of Communications
Media Relations	CHEO Foundation
Office: 514-399-8803	Office: 613-737-2784
Mobile: 514-348-0623	Mobile: 613-447-2741