Ron Mitchell: A Toronto-based marketing and communications executive with a global IT company, Ron is supporting the Coast to Coast Ride team as a driver and coordinator of communications activities. He helped last year’s Ride with sponsorship, communications and fund-raising. Ron is also involved with Canadian Special Olympics as an Advisor, and is a Mentor and Advisor to TakingITGlobal, a global youth action and empowerment organization.

"I just turned 50. I just celebrated 25 years of fun and learning and laughing and loving with my sweetheart, Virginia. My father just died last Fall. These are some of the major milestones that one expects to pass in life. And all – particularly my father’s passing – are worthy of commemoration and celebration, each in it’s own way. So, I celebrated the Big 5-0 with a wonderful gathering of family and closest friends, and by signing up for another year of Sunday and Thursday night hockey. Virginia and I will celebrate 25 years of togetherness by going on a cruise to Alaska later this summer. And I will celebrate and honour my father’s life – and the meaning he brought to mine – by supporting the C2C team as they ride across the country for a great cause. Virginia and I never had children, but as I think of all my young, healthy and active nieces and nephews and all our friends’ kids who we love as much, I wonder what we can do right now to make sure that they never suffer with cancer the way parents and aunts and uncles have. Being a support driver for the Coast to Coast Ride Against Cancer is one thing I will do, right now."

Erik Jensen, National Business Development Manager
Not a day goes by in my life that I am not reminded of the devastating impact that Cancer has had and continues to have on those around me. When close family members fought hard against the disease and lost, feelings of helplessness were prevalent. Becoming involved in fundraising events such as the C2C ride and 24 Hour Spin, have made me feel as though I was somehow, in a small way making a contribution. Playing a support role and that of a support rider in the C2C ride last year, allowed me to witness first hand the positive effect that such a ride had on entire communities and the people in them. The passion that this team possesses is contagious and I feel privileged to once again be part of the ride. Spreading the word and excitement with colleagues has inspired them to become more actively involved in personal fitness and in a variety of fundraising events in their own communities. As a result of my association with Jeff and Kevin and the other members of the team, my feelings of helplessness have transformed into feelings that I am helping to make a difference and I know that my dad and mother-in-law would be very proud.

Concord has generously donated an 18 wheeler that will be used as a moving "billboard" travelling in advance of the riders to the next city.