Pedal power

U of T Mississauga’s community has pedaled its way to victory recently, raising $12,500 for children’s cancer charities.

UTM’s first-ever “Inside Ride” event drew about 70 participants to the Blind Duck, where teams raced each other on stationary bikes, competing for a number of prizes, including best mileage, best costumes and team spirit.

The teams raised money for the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation, an organization that disperses funding to charities that support children and their families coping with cancer.

UTM’s Inside Ride was organized by Master of Biotechnology students Kara Griffiths and Joel Hurren, who hope to make it an annual event on campus. This is the first “Inside Ride” at UTM. The Canadian initiative has raised more than $35 million over its 12-year history.

Top fundraisers were father-daughter duo Alvaro and Alexandra Di Blasio, who together raised $2,500. Teams included students and faculty from the Master of Biotechnology Program, the U of T Biotech Investment Club, UTM Campus Police, Prophix, the UTM Conquering Cancer Committee, the UTM Musical Theatre Club, and UTM Athletics. 

Event sponsors included John Vince Foods, 229 Bar, The Varsity, Prophix and the RBC Foundation.