(Brendan Devlin cycles for the SickKids Great Cycle Challenge Canada in support of childhood cancer. Photo: submitted)
Brendan Devlin is a soon to be new resident of Stittsville, moving here in May with his wife. Brendan has over the course of his life been a long-time volunteer with Hospice Care Ottawa as an in-home support volunteer and more recently began to volunteer with LiveWorkPlay, championing citizenship for people with intellectual disabilities. He is paired with a young fellow and they walk and talk once a week.
Brendan is a former Executive Coach and Career Advisor, but a life-altering health scare meant he couldn’t continue to work in his area of expertise. So what was he to do with his time? Volunteer and cycle his way back to health. He told Stittsville Central, “A large part of my recovery (besides my Irish stubbornness) depended on being both mentally and physically active. Thankfully I have always loved cycling so, I threw myself into that with a purpose – after my doctors told me repeatedly how very fortunate I was to have survived”.
On one of his thought-provoking rides, “I thought that perhaps I could use this opportunity for another purpose besides personal enjoyment. I did some research and discovered the Great Cycle Challenge Canada (GCCC). I have been riding with them ever since. For the past two years I have performed the role as one of many Champions for GCCC whereby I raise awareness, sponsorship, ridership and personal donations for childhood cancer”.
Brendan will again be riding in the GCCC during the month of August for SickKids in Toronto to support childhood cancer by raising funds to save lives and give kids the brighter future they deserve. At the same time, he will be challenging himself as he sets his own personal riding goal throughout the month to fight kids’ cancer.
“Cancer is the largest killer of Canadian children from disease and over 1,400 Canadian children are diagnosed with cancer every year,” said Jamie Lamont, Director of Special Events at SickKids Foundation. “Thanks to riders like Brendan, we’re fueling groundbreaking research to save lives and give kids the brighter future they deserve.”
“This is the sixth time I have participated in Great Cycle Challenge,” said Brendan. “During those years, I have cycled 8,032 kilometres and raised $10,481.68. This year, I am aiming to raise $2,000 and ride 1,500 kilometres.” He is well on his way to reach his goal raising $500 already.
To learn more about Brendan’s Great Cycle Challenge Canada and to make a donation, please visit his Great Cycle Challenge page at greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/BrendanDevlin. To participate in Great Cycle Challenge Canada, visit GreatCycleChallenge.ca.
Over 63,000 riders from all provinces and territories have ridden 10.3 million kilometres, raising more than $12.4 million for research, care and the development of better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. This year, SickKids Foundation hopes more than 30,000 riders will take part to support of kids’ cancer.
About SickKids Foundation – Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids – one of the world’s foremost paediatric health-care institutions.
