December 23, 2014 – In September 2014, a group of 70 cyclists named Team Revolution rode in the GranFondo Scott in Piacenza, Italy, raising an additional $650,000 for the Humber River Hospital, making Team Revolution’s total contribution to date more than $1.1 million.

Team Revolution was formed over a coffee chat between Frank Ciccolini, who sat on Humber River Hospital Foundation’s board, and his friend Marco Di Battista. Ciccolini was complaining of injuries sustained while running a marathon when Di Battista suggested he take up cycling. Ciccolini wanted to organize a fundraising event for the hospital and decided a cycling event was just what it needed. “[The hospital was] in the throes of a major fundraising campaign and looking for another event,” said Ciccolini, who invited 15 cyclist friends in York Region to a luncheon and formed a committee and plan to do the Italian GranFondo, while raising money for the hospital.

Each team member agreed to raise a minimum of $7,500 (that contribution amount was lowered to $5,500 in 2014). In addition, the team cemented corporate sponsors including Campari, CIBC, Sun Life Financial, Active Green & Ross and Bianchi.

Many of Team Revolution have a personal connection to the hospital. “My father was treated there for seizures,” said Ciccolini.

For others, the Humber River Hospital is one of two local hospitals to go to should they require medical attention. The location of the new Toronto hospital, at Keele and the 401, is an area previously well-populated by the Italian-Canadian community. “Many of the guys are of that heritage, so there was another connection to building a new hospital in our old neighbourhood,” said Ciccolini.

Team Revolution members are of varying skill levels. “The vast majority would never have done a gran fondo of that difficulty,” said Ciccolini. “Of the [initial] 60, two or three would be elite, maybe another 10 advanced, another 50% cycling enthusiasts, but certainly not competing in fondos, and another 20 to 30% rather new to cycling,” he said. Prior to forming Team Revolution, Ciccolini had never been on a road bike.

Ciccolini credits Team Revolution with not only helping to build a state-of-the-art hospital, but with also improving individual team members’ health. “It’s changed a lot of guys’ lives significantly,” said Ciccolini. For himself, he added, “It’s been a lifestyle change that was very welcome.”

Team Revolution took 2013 off to train for the 2014 Piacenza GranFondo, the team’s biggest challenge. During the off-season, riders paid a registration fee ($500 to $1,000), donated to the hospital, that nets them a team kit and access to opening/closing dinners and weekly organized group rides. The team also participates in other charity rides, including the Villa Charities Giro, The Ride for Caren, The BILD Ride and others. But the main focus is support of the Humber River Hospital construction.

Come 2015, people will be able to relax in the hospital’s Piazza Team Revolution – a place named after these riders in recognition of the blood, sweat and tears left behind in Italy.