Don Ross

Cancer is the largest killer of kids in Canada, 27 children are diagnosed every week. Please donate now and support my challenge to fight kids' cancer!

Donate Now

I've Ridden 1,579.0 km to fight kids' cancer

My Rankings

National: 76th
Province: 37th in ON

I've raised $6,855 My goal is $7,000 Donate Now

I'm Riding For

In Memory of Griff Bell & in honour of Heather Ross

As I ride each day , indoors in winter & outdoors spring to fall, it will be with the memory of 6 year old Griffin Bell from Ottawa ( June 26, 2017 - March 18, 2024 ) in my heart along with my inspirational partner Heather who I've been grateful to be married to for 46 years. She continues to set an amazing example for all our family and anyone who knows her with how she lives her life each and every day. She’s managed all the challenges of breast cancer since 1999 and Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer since 2011 in a dignified way that gives great hope and cheer to others. Her toughness is beyond measure and there is no quit in her character. https://cancerresearchsociety.ca/profile/a-testament-to-the-power-of-cancer-research/ These are the same qualities that Griff Bell displayed during his short life & other young children bring out in themselves as they manage their cancer treatments with their loving families always at their sides. Griff Bell was a bright light of joy to all who knew him during his life here on Earth and we’ll never stop fighting for children like him! #GriffinMyHeartForever #RidingForHeather #FightLikeaKid

My Story

17 Aug 2025

This will be my 8th year taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer! Why? Because right now, over 1,700 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it's the biggest killer of children from disease in Canada. 3 young lives are lost every week like the brave young boy who rides with me in my heart , 6 year old Griffin Bell from Ottawa ( June 26, 2017 - March 18, 2024 ) . Every 2 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer around the world. My wife & I sometimes see these young children when we are at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre & Toronto Western where she's been receiving ongoing care for Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. We’re so grateful for the life saving research being done there and for the care & treatment she receives at UHN in Toronto & at BGH Oncology in Belleville. Hospitals like Toronto Sick Kids and CHEO in Ottawa are doing incredible work with children dealing with cancer. As any parent or grandparent like us would say.....all kids should be living life, not fighting for it . So I'm raising funds through my challenge to ride each day all year long to help these kids and support Sick Kids Foundation . This helps them continue their work in developing treatments and finding a cure for childhood cancer. Please support me by making a donation to give these brave kids the brighter futures they deserve.Your support will change little lives. Thank you so much! #GriffinMyHeartForever #RidingForHeather #FightLikeAKid #thegldnsociety

My Legacy

Here's my personal impact over 8 years to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.

1,562 km Ridden

$1,541 Raised

2018
1,698 km Ridden

$2,846 Raised

2019
2,456 km Ridden

$1,045 Raised

2020
2,434 km Ridden

$4,509 Raised

2021
2,010 km Ridden

$3,594 Raised

2022
2,135 km Ridden

$8,370 Raised

2023
1,988 km Ridden

$6,316 Raised

2024
1,579 km Ridden

$6,855 Raised

2025

15,862 km

Ridden

$35,076

Raised

My Challenge

28.0 km ride - 17 to Miller Rd to Cherry Valley to Milford - Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Logged this ride 1 day ago
32.0 km ride - Milford to Pt Petre Lighthouse via Bond- Walmsley & #24 and back - Monday, September 29, 2025

Logged this ride 2 days ago
THANK YOU…THANK YOU…THANK YOU!

28 Sep 2025

The site will be closed down in a few days for this year and I just want to give a final big thanks to all my generous donors who have supported my riding efforts again this year or for the first time. Your kindness has gone a long way towards helping so many young children and their families. I’ll continue riding every day I can for the remainder of the year, wearing my GCC jersey proudly, towards my cross 🇨🇦 target. With 5800 km in now I can knock it off in next 3 mths. See you all again hopefully in 2026 for my year 9 . #griffinmyheartforever #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #fightlikeakid #thegldnsociety

Posted 3 days ago
34.0 km ride - Cty Rd 17 to 8 to 13 to 16 to 17 and home - Sunday, September 28, 2025

Logged this ride 3 days ago
32.0 km ride - Milford to Picton and back - Saturday, September 27, 2025

Logged this ride 4 days ago
Final Tally for 2025

26 Sep 2025

ANNOUNCEMENT: It's finally time to reveal the final fundraising figure for the 2025 Great Cycle Challenge!

Drumroll please... 🥁🥁🥁

YOU have raised an INCREDIBLE $6,800,623 to KICK CANCER’S BUTT = WOOHOO! 🥳💖

This amazing result will support researchers at SickKids as they continue to tackle the greatest challenges in childhood cancer research and care.

Because kids fighting cancer deserve better treatments and cures, and there's not a moment to waste. ✊

This year's challenge marked a decade of our movement to end childhood cancer, and this community only continues to amaze us with your passion, dedication, and pedaling power! 🧡

From our kids, their families, and the GCC and SickKids team – THANK YOU! 👏😊 #GriffinMyHeartForever #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #fightlikeakid #thegldnsociety

Posted 5 days ago
40.0 km ride - Cty rd 17-8-16-wilolea Lane-13-10-home - Friday, September 26, 2025

Logged this ride 5 days ago
2025 GCC Coming to a Close

25 Sep 2025

Few more days before final results of the 2025 GCC will be announced. All signs point to another great year of fundraising for Sicks Kids Hospital thanks to all the incredibly generous donors and dedicated riders across Canada. 🇨🇦 #griffinmyheartforever #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #fightlikeakid #thegldnsociety

Posted 6 days ago
24.0 km ride - Indoor trainer - Thursday, September 25, 2025

Logged this ride 6 days ago
40.0 km ride - Milford to end of Salmon Pt Rd and back - Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Logged this ride 8 days ago

My Sponsors

Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation

“Here's your matched donation made possible by the generosity of long-time SickKids Foundation supporters, the Garron family. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$2,172.36
Received this donation 48 days ago

Don

“Dear Garron Family, Your incredible life-changing support of this fundraiser year after year shows us all that the human spirit is unbreakable. Thank you for all that you’re doing to help improve so many lives.”

Dear Garron Family, Your incredible life-changing support of this fundraiser year after year shows us all that the human spirit is unbreakable. Thank you for all that you’re doing to help improve so many lives.
Leslie Bell

“Don your spirit is an inspiration to all of us ! Thank you for working so hard to help so many , in the memory of our sweet Griffin. Sheila and Les”
$1,035
Received this donation 49 days ago

Don

“Dear Les & Sheila, I’m truly grateful to be healthy and able to do this each year to help keep Griff’s indomitable spirit alive in my small way. He continues to inspire me by his determination during his short lifetime and I honestly feel him riding with me each day on my bike. The entire Bell family has created a legacy of caring and giving in tribute to Griffin that will make so many lives better at Sick Kids in Toronto and CHEO. Thank you for this most generous contribution today. 💕”

Dear Les & Sheila, I’m truly grateful to be healthy and able to do this each year to help keep Griff’s indomitable spirit alive in my small way. He continues to inspire me by his determination during his short lifetime and I honestly feel him riding with me each day on my bike. The entire Bell family has created a legacy of caring and giving in tribute to Griffin that will make so many lives better at Sick Kids in Toronto and CHEO. Thank you for this most generous contribution today. 💕
Jim and Sarah Hurst

“Way to go Don. So proud of you as always”
$476.10
Received this donation 49 days ago

Don

“Sarah & Jim, You’ve always been in our corner and support us with your encouragement, generosity and kindness. It means the world to us and paying it forward helps so many people in meaningful ways. Thanks once again for helping make this year’s ride a big success. 💕”

Sarah & Jim, You’ve always been in our corner and support us with your encouragement, generosity and kindness. It means the world to us and paying it forward helps so many people in meaningful ways. Thanks once again for helping make this year’s ride a big success. 💕
Mary L Strey

“Ride on Don. Enjoy!”
$362.25
Received this donation 49 days ago

Don

“You’re amazing Cuz…..BeeCuz you’ve got a ❤️ of gold and it’s as big as the Sleeping Giant. Thank you for your ongoing loyal support and geneROSSity :) 💕 from Heather and I”

You’re amazing Cuz…..BeeCuz you’ve got a ❤️ of gold and it’s as big as the Sleeping Giant. Thank you for your ongoing loyal support and geneROSSity :) 💕 from Heather and I
Lorie Stevenson

“Keep riding for the kids Don.”
$207
Received this donation 49 days ago

Don

“Lorie, I sure will, you can count on that. No quit in these kids we ride for nor in the yound lady I live with , as you know !:) Your loyal and generous support each year means a lot to us. Thanks again.”

Lorie, I sure will, you can count on that. No quit in these kids we ride for nor in the yound lady I live with , as you know !:) Your loyal and generous support each year means a lot to us. Thanks again.
Carol and Michael Cooke

“Wishing you great rides Don and many thanks for your devotion to this fundraiser!”
$155.25
Received this donation 74 days ago

Don

“Mike & Carol, You’re the absolute best and I’m very grateful for how much you’ve supported my efforts each year. Thank you.”

Mike & Carol, You’re the absolute best and I’m very grateful for how much you’ve supported my efforts each year. Thank you.
Lynn Watson
$155.25
Received this donation 49 days ago

Don

“Lynn, Your continued support has been amazing and I can't thank you enough. This matching day donation will boost the campaign even more thanks to people like you and the Garron Family.”

Lynn, Your continued support has been amazing and I can't thank you enough. This matching day donation will boost the campaign even more thanks to people like you and the Garron Family.
Cathy MacDonald
$124.20
Received this donation 68 days ago

Don

“Good morning Cathy, I’m very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰”

Good morning Cathy, I’m very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰
Patricia White
$124.20
Received this donation 50 days ago

Don

“Thank you very much Pat. It matters to so many children and families that there are people in the world like you who care enough to donate to help them deal with their situation. We’re grateful for your loyal support over the years and helps motivate me to keep pedalling. Best regards from Heather and I .”

Thank you very much Pat. It matters to so many children and families that there are people in the world like you who care enough to donate to help them deal with their situation. We’re grateful for your loyal support over the years and helps motivate me to keep pedalling. Best regards from Heather and I .
Paula Walker

“Thank you for doing this Don! Best wishes!”
$124.20
Received this donation 77 days ago

Don

“Paula and Bruce, You’ve been such loyal, generous donors each year and I’m so grateful for your support of this effort to help these children at Toronto Sick Kids. Thank you.”

Paula and Bruce, You’ve been such loyal, generous donors each year and I’m so grateful for your support of this effort to help these children at Toronto Sick Kids. Thank you.
Stephen Empringham

“Great charity, Don. Keep up the good work!”
$124.20
Received this donation 40 days ago

Don

“Stephen and Kathy, I'm very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the many children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰”

Stephen and Kathy, I'm very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the many children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰
Stuart Ross

“Very proud of your commitment to this cause brother! KEEP ON RIDING!!”
$124.20
Received this donation 49 days ago

Don

“Thanks Stuart….”Keeping on keeping on “ is a good motto I try to follow. Thinking about what these kids and their families are managing to “keep on through “ is all the motivation I need. Living with a real life cancer survivor miracle every day shows there’s always hope for these kids too.”

Thanks Stuart….”Keeping on keeping on “ is a good motto I try to follow. Thinking about what these kids and their families are managing to “keep on through “ is all the motivation I need. Living with a real life cancer survivor miracle every day shows there’s always hope for these kids too.
Jenna Ross

“Go Dad go!! Keep pedaling and inspiring 😍🥰”
$111
Received this donation 82 days ago

Don

“Thanks 111 times over. 🥰”

Thanks 111 times over. 🥰
Brian Hoyt
$103.50
Received this donation 39 days ago

Don

“Hi Brian, I'm very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the many children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰”

Hi Brian, I'm very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the many children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰
Karen Whelpdale
$103.50
Received this donation 61 days ago

Don

“https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/donate/thank-you/854313 Thanks very much for your generosity each year . It's greatly appreciated.”

https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/donate/thank-you/854313 Thanks very much for your generosity each year . It's greatly appreciated.
Lynn Watson

“Thanks for doing this Don. Have a great ride!”
$103.50
Received this donation 74 days ago

Don

“Much appreciated Lynn….your support each year helps me pedal even more on those hot summer afternoons!”

Much appreciated Lynn….your support each year helps me pedal even more on those hot summer afternoons!
Dave and Alison Hicks
$100
Received this donation 58 days ago

Don

“Allison and Dave, You are both such kind and gentle souls and Heather and I are honoured to know you and consider you our dear friends. Thanks very much for this generous contribution to the ride this year. It means a lot to so many people we will never get to meet in person.”

Allison and Dave, You are both such kind and gentle souls and Heather and I are honoured to know you and consider you our dear friends. Thanks very much for this generous contribution to the ride this year. It means a lot to so many people we will never get to meet in person.
Deb

“Heather and Don are an inspiration!”
$100
Received this donation 49 days ago

Don

“Deb and Don, So grateful to have good friends like you in our corner cheering us on and supporting this cause that means so much to us and all the families it brings hope and relief to. Thanks again for your generosity again this year.”

Deb and Don, So grateful to have good friends like you in our corner cheering us on and supporting this cause that means so much to us and all the families it brings hope and relief to. Thanks again for your generosity again this year.
Debbie Cooke
$100
Received this donation 65 days ago

Don

“Hi Debbie, I received your generous donation today and will submit it on the matching day in August so that it will have a greater impact helping these children and their families who we are riding for. Thanks so much for your support over the years, and enjoy your time with family when you leave.”

Hi Debbie, I received your generous donation today and will submit it on the matching day in August so that it will have a greater impact helping these children and their families who we are riding for. Thanks so much for your support over the years, and enjoy your time with family when you leave.
Lean McConnell
$100
Received this donation 64 days ago

Don

“Leon and Vernice, Your loyal support of this fundraiser over the years has been amazing and means a lot to us. Thanks so much . I will make sure your donation gets submitted on the day of the matching offer when it arrives .”

Leon and Vernice, Your loyal support of this fundraiser over the years has been amazing and means a lot to us. Thanks so much . I will make sure your donation gets submitted on the day of the matching offer when it arrives .