Media

Ryder Hesjedal F***ks Cancer in BC
Donates Tour de France Jersey to Support Cancer Early Detection Education Initiative

For Immediate Release - September 30, 2010

VANCOUVER - Canadian Pro Tour rider, Ryder Hesjedal captured the imaginations of all Canadians this past summer when his gritty, determined ride in the Tour de France netted him a seventh place overall finish; the best result Canadian result at the Tour since Steve Bauer finished fourth in 1988.  Now Hesjedal has donated one of his Tour jerseys, complete with race numbers still attached, to the Journey Home Ride in memory of Michael Meier. Twenty-six year old Michael who lost a short, intense battle with cancer in September 2009 was the brother of Hesjedal's Garmin-Transitions team mate and fellow Canadian, Christian Meier.

The Journey Home Ride took place in June 2010 and was undertaken by a small group that included Garmin-Transitions riders Svein Tuft and Christian Meier and members of the Wedgewood Cycling Team who rode from Seattle to Vancouver in one day, after completing the two-day Vancouver to Seattle Ride to Conquer Cancer. According to Rider organizer Philip Meyer this was the second year for the Ride. "In 2009 we rode with Axel Merckx and his wife Jodi in support of our friend Sindi Hawkins in her on-going battle with leukemia. Sindi was our inspiration to do all we can to fight this terrible disease, and sadly we lost Sindi last week."

"After hearing how Christian lost his brother last year, we were determined to help fund an early detection initiative targeted at young people, educating them on early warning signs and what to look for," continued Meyer. For 2010 the Journey Home partnered with F Cancer who are promoting  a global movement to change the way cancer is perceived and diagnosed by promoting early detection, prevention, and education.

The 2010 Journey Home has raised close to $40,000 thus far for F Cancer and has been supported by donations of items from the likes of Lance Armstrong, Eddy and Axel Merckx, David Millar, George Hinacpie, Michael Barry and numerous teams including Saxo Bank, Team Sky, Astana, Radioshack and Garmin Transitions to name a few. These items were either auctioned or offered as gifts for suggested donations to the Journey Home.

The auction for Ryder's Tour de France jersey is heating up and with eight days remaining, it is expected that interest will continue to build. Bidding has already surpassed the $1,000 each that were the winning bids for a Eddy Merck signed Molteni jersey and a Team Saxo Bank jersey signed by their 2009 Tour de France team at auctions held earlier this summer.

To bid on Ryder's jersey visit the eBay auction

View the list of items available for a suggested donation to the Journey Home here.

For more information on:
The Journey Home: www.journeyhomebc.blogspot.com
F Cancer: www.letsfcancer.com
Wedgewood Cycling Team: www.teamwedgewood.com

Media Contact:
Philip Meyer
Wedgewood Cycling Team
pmeyer@wedgewoodhotel.com