June 15, 2007 (Toronto, ON) — Covering 7,000 kms in 19 days, it’s being billed by event organizers as, “the biggest and longest and most exciting distance charity cycling event in the world.” At a gala dinner on Tuesday, June 12, the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation and Sears Canada announced that they are partnering together to organize a new charity ride called the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride.

In 2008, 100 cyclists from across Canada will embark on the first annual Sears National Kids Cancer Ride from Vancouver to Halifax in only 19 days. Along the way, they will be joined for portions of the ride by local riders who want to participate in the event for a few days and help raise money. The 100 national riders will be selected through an application process. The individuals who are chosen will have the physical strength and stamina to participate in the journey, and will have felt, first hand, the effects of childhood cancer in their lives.

Funds raised from the ride will go to support Canadian children’s cancer charities including camps for children with cancer. These charities support children and their families who have had to battle this devastating disease.

The Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation was founded in 2002 by Jeff Rushton. Since then, the Foundation has raised over $2,500,000 through its annual Tour For Kids ride as well as other cycling fund-raising programs and events across the country.

Guests at the event were entertained by Steven Page from the Barenaked Ladies, BMXers Chase Gouin, David Schaefer, Brandon Fenton and Scott Powell, hip hop dancers from the Canadian Dance Company, and skippers from the Hamilton Hoppers and the Brampton Acro Ropers.

For more information on the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride visit www.nationalkidscancerride.com