NEWS RELEASE
FIGHTING BLINDNESS CANADA
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On Saturday, June 18, Fighting Blindness Canada’s Cycle for Sight is back in person, raising essential funds for vision research in the Toronto area and across the country.
Being held at the Gibson Centre in Alliston, the annual event encourages participants of all ages and abilities to get active to support over eight million — one in five — Canadians living with a blinding eye disease that puts them at significant risk of blindness.
“There are 1.2 million Canadians who are living with uncorrectable vision loss and that number is expected to grow to two million by 2050,” says Doug Earle, president and CEO of Fighting Blindness Canada. “This is why raising funds for vision research to restore their sight is critical. We are so grateful to Cycle for Sight participants and their supporters in helping to prevent blindness.”
Joining Cycle for Sight this year is Canada Winter Games silver and bronze medallist Maya Jonas, as well as New Tecumseth Mayor Rick Milne to welcome cyclists at the starting line. Once the ride through some of Ontario’s most picturesque areas is complete, cyclists can enjoy food, prizes, and the opportunity to meet Fighting Blindness Canada-funded scientists who are making groundbreaking discoveries in vision research — all with protocols to keep cyclists and their families safe and comfortable.
For those unable to participate in person, Cycle for Sight’s virtual component allows Canadians anywhere to help raise money for vision research by joining celebrated Parapan silver medallist, Paralympic 2024 hopeful and Amazing Race Canada alumni Lowell Taylor on a Zwift ride. Participants can create their own challenge at their own pace, whether it be walking, dancing, yoga or any other favourite physical activity, all in support of vision research funding.
Both the in-person and virtual events will honour participants’ accomplishments and share stories of individuals whose lives have been touched by the work of researchers funded by Fighting Blindness Canada.
Date: Saturday, June 18
Location: Gibson Centre and PPG Park, 63 Tupper St. W., Alliston
Timing: 8:15 a.m. for the 80 km and 100 km ride; 9:45 a.m. for the 18 km, 35 km and 50 km ride
Choice of activities: Cycling (in person), or any other type of activity that gets people moving (virtual)
Fundraising goal: $500,000 in support of Fighting Blindness Canada for research into cures and treatments for blinding eye diseases
For more information and to register, visit cycleforsight.ca or call 1-800-461-3331, ext. 231.
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