Memories of Big Bike

British Columbia

Century Group and South Delta Ride Prove that Community Spirit is What Matters Most
It has often been thought that the Big Bike event does best in larger communities where there are lots of bigger companies with lots of employees to draw upon to pull together Big Bike teams. But the communities of South Delta and the Property management company, Century Group, proved that theory all wrong.

The Richmond Area Office had long been reluctant to try a Big Bike event in South Delta because of the relatively small size of the communities of Ladner and Tsawwassen and the fact that these are predominately residential rather than large business communities. But thanks to the eagerness and support of local newspaper, The South Delta Leader, to bring the Big Bike to South Delta, we gave it a try in 2009. The result was overwhelming.

What South Delta may lack in terms of large employers it more than makes up for in community spirit! The event was planned as a half-day (morning) as a trial in its first year, with a goal of having 4 teams ride. But due to the overwhelming response, teams had to be turned away when the morning quickly filled up with 6 enthusiastic teams.

And none was more enthusiastic than the team from Century Group. Despite only having a total of about 40 local employees, they filled all 29 seats on their bike. They also had everyone on the team register online (the only team to do so), and it obviously paid off. Century Group had the greatest success of any team in the Richmond area raising $6,940 online, and, incredibly in its first year, a total of $12,475 overall - the most money raised by any one team in the history of the Richmond area office!

And despite the fact that it rained on the South Delta ride morning, you couldn't dampen the spirits of any of these teams. Together they raised an incredible $28,341 in just 3 ½ hours time and had a great time doing it! So it just goes to show you it's not the size of the community or the company that guarantees Big Bike success but the size of their hearts. And the teams of South Delta have proven that theirs are immense!

Prince George Realtors Have Heart!

On July 5, 2009 the realtors of Prince George put down their cellphones and put their hands on the handlebars of the Heart & Stroke Big Bike. Two of the local real estate brokerages put together a friendly competition to raise funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. The two teams both focused on raising funds & awareness in their communities.

RE/MAX Centre City Realty held a heart and stroke awareness day with a public nurse assessing each realtor's risk level ; many were surprised by their results and spread the word to their family and friends about heart disease and stroke.

Royal LePage had another challenge within their office: there were many people that wanted that easy seat and it was not "easy" to get! The winner in the end was receptionist Liz and the team as a whole raised over $ 4300!!

RE/MAX and Royal LePage both came out with 29 riders full of enthusiasm and together their heartfelt challenge raised over $ 6000! This was the first year riding for both teams and the first time on the bike for almost everyone! The challenge will remain for next year and hopefully for years to come, with both teams eager to ride!

Port Alberni goes over the top for Big Bike!
The community of Port Alberni pulled together this year to create a phenomenal result for Heart&Stroke Big Bike 2009. With six new teams, over $15,900 was raised! This is two and a half times more than their 15 year average! While the resource-based community may be feeling the effects of the economy, that did not dampen spirits as team captains recruited riders and team members got busy raising pledges and pulling together costumes. Online fundraising was a big hit in the Alberni Valley, with 25% of their funds raised through online pledge requests! Way to go, Port Alberni!

Ontario

Bunn-o-Matic supports Big Bike for Stroke!
2009 was the first year for Bunn-o-Matic to participate in the Big Bike for Stroke with an incredible turn out. The team called Bunns of Steel truly got into the spirit of the event engaging all staff to contribute in some way. The Team Captain, Valerie Mabee encouraged the staff to attend a very successful kick off lunch where staff was introduced to the Big Bike over a heart healthy lunch provided for them. The excitement continued with 50/50 draws, chilly lunch, bake sale and even a silent auction! Bunn-o-Matic also matched all revenue from these initiatives donating $1,226.75 towards the team! As a result the team raised $5,577.50 and they didn't stop there. The team also had so much spirit they won the team spirit award!! Bunn-o-Matic "put their heart into" making the Big Bike for Stroke something to remember – Thank you for your loyal support!

York Central Hospital Gears up for its 2nd Annual Hospital Wide Big Bike Day June 25th, 2009
In 2008 York Central Hospital had its first participation in the Heart & Stroke Big Bike for the York South office. The hospital entered 6 teams, including the "Rollin for Lauren" team captained by Colleen Jones and Sandi Tanner who raised $12,500. In total the 6 hospital teams raised over $20,000. This year they have entered 8 teams, and are hoping to raise even more funds for life saving research. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT!

Cooperators Insurance beating the odds and staying on top!
The Cooperators team has been involved with Big Bike since 1998, with a total of 9 years participation. They have raised a total of $34,858, making them the top overall fundraising team in Peterborough and area.

But the truly amazing and inspiring story is from their 2008 event in Peterborough.

The Captain, Melanie Van Veen, only 44 years old, suffered a sudden massive heart attack on April 10th at 10:15 in the evening, resulting in an induced medical coma.

Melanie received an ICD (Implantable cardioverter defibrillator) on May 5th allowing her to come out and attend the event with her team on May 14th. Of course her happy coworkers gave up their easy seat for her!

The team ended up raising $4,689 (including matching donations), their highest total ever.

Thunder Bay's first ever Survivor Ride a huge success!
Thunder Bay's Survivor ride was used as a kick off to the 2008 Big Bike season, the team was rallied to raise money and raise the awareness of heart disease and stroke in our community. The team consisted of old and young, heart disease and stroke survivors from the local community.

A young survivor kicked off the event by telling their story and how receiving the tPA shot changed their life forever. It was an emotional ride for many and a very meaningful ride for the Heart and Stroke Foundation staff in the Thunder Bay office.

The survivor ride raised over $3,000.00 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation – a huge thanks goes out to all the brave survivors who participated.

Thunder Bay Big Bike Captain leads 4 teams with Big Heart!
2009 marks over 10 years of service for a Captain and participant in Thunder Bay's Big Bike Event. Jan Mior long time supporter of Heart and Stroke unselfishly captained (4) teams for this Year's Big Bike event. Two teams consist of friends and family from the Thunder Bay Regional health Science Centre, and two teams for St Paul's Anglican Church. Together these four teams raised over $12,000 in 2009 alone. Having 21 years in the Nursing industry, Jan has seen first- hand the affects of Heart and Stroke on Patients and their families. She gives back the best way she can by organizing, keeping track and captaining all her teams to success. Will there be a fifth team in Jan's future for 2010? That is a question that only Jan can answer. Go Jan Go! Thank you Jan from the bottom of Our Hearts!

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT!

Manitoba

John's Riders raise almost $4,600 in Portage
The 2009 Heart&Stroke Big Bike ride in Portage la Prairie was the most successful in the event's 17-year-history, and John Rennie’s Memorial Riders played a huge part in that success. "Unfortunately it took a tragic event to get involved with the Heart and Stroke Foundation," says John Rennie's widow Sharon Rennie. "But I'm really glad that I did. It's been very comforting to be involved – and the ride itself was fun and a celebration of John's life with family and friends."

John was a fit 55-year-old with a third degree black belt in Ju-jitsu. He was well respected by members of the Portage Ju-jitsu club and the teachers and students he dealt with as a curriculum coordinator for the Portage la Prairie School Division. Everyone was shocked when he passed away after a massive heart attack. "He literally just got off the treadmill," says Sharon. "It was the last thing you expected as fitness was an important part of his lifestyle. We knew there was a history of heart disease on both sides of his family, but he was certainly the youngest who was forced to deal with it."

After his passing, Sharon got involved with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba (HSFM), taking a role on the Portage la Prairie Big Bike organizing committee. "Sharon was incredibly helpful," says Catherine Newham, Program Coordinator for HSFM's central region. "Not only did she help to organize the entire Portage la Prairie event, her team raised almost $4,600, the most in Portage, and one of the highest totals in the province." "I was absolutely blown away by the phenomenal personal support from family and friends," says Sharon. "People really liked John. He was genuine and kind, but quiet. With John, what you saw is what you got." Sharon expects to continue participating with the Big Bike in the future. "A number of people said they would do it again next year," Sharon says. "The whole event was well organized and it is something John would have enjoyed doing, having fun participating in physical activity with family and friends."

Gerdau Re-Cyclers pedal past the competition
Gerdau Ameristeel Manitoba Mill and Gerdau Ameristeel Recycling Manitoba have participated in the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Big Bike Ride since 2006 as the Gerdau Re-Cyclers team.

Participation has increased steadily over the years and in 2009, the team had their first full team of 29 riders. The team enjoys the thrill of riding around the city of Selkirk, waving at the community as they pass. This group of employees, friends and family always has a great time as they support the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.

The Gerdau Re-Cyclers raised almost $9,000 and placed 2nd in overall fundraising for the city of Selkirk. This amount was achieved through an in-house raffle, auction, walk and weight loss contest, head shaving challenge, and individual fundraising.

The riders are looking forward to participating again in 2010 and are already thinking of creative ways to secure their spot as the 1st place fundraising team. Thanks for putting your heart into it, Gerdau Re-Cyclers!

Nova Scotia

Community Spirit Rides High in Pictou County
When the Big Bike comes to Pictou County it is more then just a fun ride. It is a fun filled day for the whole family and is truly a spectacle of community spirit.

While the "big" kids ride the bike kids can enjoy everything from face painting to drawing with sidewalk chalk and skipping.

There truly is something for everyone and thanks to the support and generosity of local companies like Sobeys and Scotsburn, riders and spectator alike can enjoy a BBQ lunch while taking in entertainment by local artists who volunteer their time.

In the picture you see a snapshot of this event while our spirit award winners, the "ExZellerators" are marched in to the event by a local pipe band. Thanks to the planning committee, local sponsors, team captains and their teams and the many volunteers who make this event a special community tradition, year after year.

First Big Bike Ride a Success
Success College registered for Big Bike for the first time in 2009 as a team-building exercise. The instructors were enthusiastic about getting their students involved in a community event linked to a worthwhile cause such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia.

To recruit riders and create hype, they held a contest to name their Big Bike team; the winning team name was "Cycling for Success". Event day rolled around, the Success College Big Bike Captains hosted a barbeque for students and staff before their big ride that afternoon. First ride of the day, literally a blur of people wearing navy Success College T-shirts walked towards the host site. There were enough riders for two teams and they proudly rode the Big Bike around the community twice.

Sobeys Shelburne - 24 pounds of coins
The Sobeys team, which had participated the four previous years, wasn’t registered to ride the Big Bike yet and the event was only six weeks away.

This team really outdid itself, raising $3,487.22, nearly double their previous highest total. Martin Fudge, the regular top fundraiser for this team, was proud of "making history" by being the first Big Bike rider on any Shelburne team to raise over $1,000.

It was clear that all the riders had dug deep to make this such a successful event. There were jars of coins in the Sobey's store. There were baggies full of toonies, loonies, quarters, dimes and nickels. One rider brought in over $40 in rolled pennies. When it was counted and ready to go to the bank, I put it all on the bathroom scale – there was 24 pounds of coins.

Sometimes a "last-minute" team can do pretty amazing things.

Quebec

West Island Big Bike Event
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Québec, the West Island region would like to highlight the exceptional participation of EPICOR for our 2009 edition of BIG BIKE FOR HEART. This outstanding team has been an avid supporter of this event for many years and this year has surpassed all goals and expectations by raising an amount of $ 10, 066. WOW ! What great team work. None of this would have been possible without the loyal support of team captain, Mr. Donald Palumbo. EPICOR shows us that with perseverance, determination and a common goal, success can be achieved even during these hard economic times. Team members have been touched by cardiovascular disease, they thus know the good that our cause brings to research. They hold the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Quebec close to their heart. Congratulations and THANK YOU !

Our second STAR–BOMBARDIER ! They are returning supporters of this event, and for 2009 they raised $ 2,614
Team work is key! And leading BOMBARDIER for her 1st time as team captain was Mrs. Shari Mathewson. This competitive captain had one goal: raise more then 2008! And she did! Great job Bombardier!
We had many teams join us and teams that work hard to raise funds for our cause. We can only highlight a few teams, but we would like to thank them all for their support and without them the BIG BIKE would not have been the same. Thank you! See you in 2010!

Gatineau Big Bike Event
The 4th Edition of the Heart & Stroke Big Bike event was held in Gatineau on June 8, 2009. The Outaouais Region staff would like to thank the teams that have participated in this year's event and wishes to highlight the exceptional participation of one very special team.
For the second consecutive year, Curves Gréber has been impressive. Team captain, Jo-Anne Swanson, had set a very high goal of $5,000 and it is with a great deal of emotion that she made the announcement just before starting out on the bike. With pride and determination, the 29 members of the team have pedaled for a good cause, the Heart and Stroke Foundation. In exceeding by $1,400 the amount raised last year, this team maintains its reputation of the team having collected the highest amount during this event.
Thanks to all the teams. We hope to see you again next year !

Laval Big Bike Event
The Heart and Stroke Foundation, Laval/Laurentides/Lanaudière Region, would like to highlight the exceptional participation of Hydro-Mobile in the BIG BIKE FOR HEART event which was held last June 2009. For the second consecutive year, this team raised more than $8,500 ! Through creativity and enthusiasm, Team Captain Lyne Fausse led her team in the most dynamic way, putting together a number of activities to boost the donations. Our most sincere congratulations to this super team, the LLL champion team!!!

Saskatchewan

Explosion doesn't stop Big Bike Riders in Nipawin
Arlene Helgason had taken April 18, 2008 off work to celebrate her wedding anniversary.

She never dreamed she would see her business, Bodies by Choice, burn after an explosion devastated the town the same day.

As manager, Arlene went to the gym to complete a few obligatory duties before enjoying her day off. Shortly after leaving the gym, Arlene heard a loud booming sound, a noise she will probably never forget.

As she ran out of the grocery store and as the billowing smoke cleared, she realized that the meat shop, just two doors down from her gym, was missing. Only a few walls and cement remained.

It took only a few seconds for this information to register before she considered her gym – when she left, there were approximately 10 people in the building. Fortunately, everyone had escaped. Unfortunately, the gym itself was damaged. Arlene and her staff huddled for hours and sadly watched the gym go down in flames.

After a great deal of contemplation, Arlene decided to rebuild the gym. Despite the long, hard journey ahead of her, she also decided to rebook her Big Bike ride for the end of August.

"Big Bike is such a great cause, we just have to do it!" said Arlene, whose team has raised more than $5,900 since 2006.

Despite the devastation of losing two community members in the explosion, the community has drawn together to support each other as well as Arlene and her quest to support the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Remarkable!

Individual Effort and Determination lead to FCC's Success!
Farm Credit Canada in Regina had a successful bike ride in 2008, and the organizers found getting a team together easy!

"Most of our success came simply from each bike rider's determination and individual effort," said Farm Credit Corporation (FCC) Summer Student (and team captain) Sierra Gale.

In total, riders raised an unbelievable $5,633.43 and FCC matched each employee donation 50 cents to every dollar, resulting in a total match of $2,324.86.

FCC staff also supported a variety of fundraisers. On Corporate Office Dress Down Day, employees donated a minimum $5 to wear jeans to work, and wore red heart pins to show they were dressing down in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. This raised $1,342.71.

"Sydney Laughlin and I made a collage of hearts outside our cubicles, and sold the hearts for a minimum donation of $10," adds Gale.

Recruiting was done by word of mouth.

"We recruited people we met in the elevator, at meetings, on lunch hours. I even recruited one rider while he was fixing my computer!" said Gale. :"We also encouraged those we recruited to talk to their friends and co-workers and spread the word to boost interest."

To advertise the event and the fundraisers, organizers put weekly articles in the FCC Corporate Office Update, a newsletter sent to all corporate office employees each Thursday.

"The event was made successful by the people who were involved and all of the super generous employees at FCC," said Gale. "Everyone was so willing to help and support the team. It was a really great experience!"

Personal story inspires riders
Shelley and Craig Baldwin have a personal reason for participating in Big Bike for the past 11 years - their son. Travis, was born with heart defects and suffered a cardiac arrest shortly before their 1999 ride, when he was 17. In 2000, he rode as an honoree team captain.

Sadly, their son's heart transplant in 2001 was not enough; he passed away due to heart complications 2002. That year, the community of Oxbow pulled together and raised close to $19,000 in his memory. Today, Shelley says there are corrective surgeries available for babies who are born with conditions similar to her son's - it saddens her to realize that if they'd had the medical advances of today back in 1981, her son might still be with them.

Shelley and Craig miss their son dearly, but are not discouraged from participating in Big Bike. They have kept Big Bike close to their hearts and have captained a team ever since.

The Oxbow Heart Throbs, whom Shelley refers to as "our team" have raised over $108,000 in the 12 years they’ve been riding.

Everyone on the team has been touched by heart disease and stroke, and their team provides the entire community an opportunity to draw close together, share stories and companionship and, at the same time, do something wonderful by providing funds to support research in the area of heart disease and stroke.