The Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes was back in-person and an enormous success!

One of Canada’s longest running and top fundraising events returned to in-person Rides in Montréal and Toronto, on October 6 and 13, 2022 respectively, along with virtual rides across the country. For 35 years Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF has been bringing together corporate executives and teams to pedal for a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Participants from corporate Canada jumped on dozens of stationary bikes set up at two signature Ride locations in Montréal and Toronto or participated from their homes in the virtual event between October 6-13. Whether in-person or virtual, Canadians once again showed their competitive spirit to raise funds to help fund the most promising research into cures and therapies for T1D.

Almost 870 teams and over 3600 fundraisers from more than 70 Canadian companies coast to coast joined us either in person or virtually. To date participants have secured more than 10,500 donations for the Ride program. We could not be more grateful for everyone’s efforts!

Thank you to SpinCo., Orangetheory, Mula Yoga and Luna Yoga. We are very appreciative of their time and expertise, and for providing our participants with gym quality workouts they could do at home.

JDRF would also like to acknowledge Peter Oliver, an amazing man and supporter who sadly passed away in late September 2022. In 1986, shortly after he began volunteering at JDRF after his daughter Vanessa’s diagnosis when she was just six years old, he founded the JDRF Ride to Defeat Diabetes. In the years since, the event has raised over $70 million for diabetes research, and has introduced thousands of volunteers to the JDRF mission. He was never far from our minds, and we will always remember his unwavering spirit and dedication to finding a cure for diabetes every Ride.

JDRF is thrilled to announce that over $1.4 million and counting has been raised for this year’s Ride program to support T1D research. To everyone who participated in the Ride, whether in-person or virtual – thank you. Together, we made a difference for the close to 300,000 Canadians who live with type 1 diabetes.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our sponsor and volunteers, without whom this event would not be a success. Thanks to their support, we were also able to offer an incredible day of high energy workouts and music, highlight inspirational stories through video and speakers, and ultimately get us closer to our goal for cures for type 1 diabetes.

Sun Life has been a proud supporter of the Ride since 2017, and in 2019 they became the national title sponsor. Sun Life is committed to supporting the over 422 million people worldwide living with the disease.

Thank you again to everyone who participated and to our incredible corporate partners.
We hope to see you all next year!

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