September 8, 2005 – More than 200 cyclists, both seasoned and beginners, will ride up to 160km’s to battle cancer on September 11, 2005.

Over the past 3 years the RIDE FOR KAREN participants have raised more than $150,000 for cancer care charities and event organizers are committed to raising another $50,000 at the 2005 event. Money raised during this year’s event will support the following childhood cancer camps: Camp Oochigeas, Camp Quality and Camp Trillium.

These three extraordinary camp organizations help children and their families build confidence, courage and friendships. With multiple locations staffed by health care professionals, volunteers and camp alumni, the camps provide tremendous emotional support coupled with various degrees of essential medical attention. The single greatest miracle these retreats provide is enabling children to escape the shadows of cancer treatment and feel the thrill of being just another kid.

The RIDE FOR KAREN is an annual cycling event that is held to pay tribute to Karen Tobias and to raise money for charities that help people living with cancer and those who care for them. The Ride for Karen is a way for Karen’s family and friends to keep her dream alive, to continue her mission of – Building Hope – one cancer patient, and family, at a time.

This year’s event will feature two courses, both of which start and finish in Vaughan, a 25 km course for intermediate cyclists and a 160km route for advanced riders.

Riders will meet Sunday, Sept. 11 at St. Joan of Arc High School, 1 St. Joan of Arc Ave. in Maple. The 160 km ride begins at 9 a.m. and the 25 km ride starts at 1.00 p.m. The 25 km course covers beautiful countryside and guarantees to provide participants great fun, good food and cool prizes, while supporting a very worthwhile cause. In the longer course, members of the competitive cycling community will embark on a 160km ride through the valleys and farmlands north of Toronto. While scenic, the 160km ride is difficult even for seasoned cyclists. For those fortunate to have known Karen, this course is seen as a suitable metaphor for the strength that Karen showed in her tireless battle with breast cancer.

For more information about the 2005 Ride for Karen, Camp Oochigeas, Camp Trillium and Camp Quality and to learn about the life and legacy of Karen Tobias, please visit www.rideforkaren.com or contact Kirk Tobias at (905) 294-7699 kirk@rideforkaren.com.

Course maps and other information are also available on the website.

Event Day Contact (only available Sept. 11) – Sulyn Tobias – (416) 909-0458