MAPLE, ON, Sept. 10 /CNW/ - More than 500 cycling enthusiasts took to the
roads of York, Caledon, Nottawasaga and Simcoe Regions on Sunday in support of
the sixth annual Ride for Karen. This year's ride was the most successful to
date, raising more than $200,000 for children's cancer camps.
    Scotiabank, presenting sponsor of the 2007 Ride for Karen, provides
support and sponsorship for the operation of the event while also helping to
create more awareness, increase the number of participants and raise
additional funds for the camps. One hundred percent of the pledges and donated
funds from this year's event go to Camp Oochigeas, Camp Quality and Camp
Trillium to help send children to camp and provide the required support and
treatments during their stay. This year's Ride for Karen will send close to
300 children to summer camp.
    "Scotiabank is proud of its long-standing commitment to supporting the
communities in which we live and work and the Ride for Karen is another way
that we help build support for many local causes," said Aileen Yhap,
Scotiabank District Vice-President, GTA North. "This event has grown steadily
over the past six years and we can see this from amount of community spirit
and support that Ride for Karen receives. We are thrilled with the volunteers
and participants that made this year's Ride a success."
    Ride for Karen - themed "Riding Hard - Building Hope", was started by
Karen's sons, Kirk and Kris, shortly after her death at 53 years of age from
breast cancer in July 2002. Since then the Ride for Karen has grown into one
of Ontario's premiere cycling events.
    "This ride started as a way for us to grieve but it has turned into so
much more," said Kirk Tobias. "The Ride for Karen is a celebration of Karen's
life and a metaphor for her battle - and it also is a way for people that have
been touched by the disease, cancer survivors, and families who have lost
loved ones to help others living with the disease."
    The 2007 Ride for Karen featured two courses, a 25 km course for
intermediate cyclists and a 160 km route for advanced riders. Participants
raised funds through pledges and many dedicate their ride to a child or loved
one affected by cancer.
    In Canada approximately 1,400 children are diagnosed with cancer annually
and another 10,000 are already living with cancer or its long-term effects.
    "We could not run this event without the support of Scotiabank and our
many sponsors and volunteers," said Kris Tobias. "From the York, Peel, South
Simcoe and Ontario Provincial Police who volunteer their time to the
dedication of those who spend hours preparing food for the riders, this event
is a success because of them."

    Ride for Karen

    Started in 2002, the Ride for Karen is a yearly cycling event that is
held as a tribute to the life and legacy of Karen Tobias and to raise money
for charities that help people living with cancer, and those who care for
them. In the last six years the Ride for Karen has raised over $600,000 which
has been used to help build and furnish new cancer care facilities, provide
much needed resources for cancer support centres and send kids with cancer to
camp. Ride for Karen is on the World Wide Web at www.rideforkaren.com.

    Scotiabank

    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2006 the Bank provided more than $42 million in sponsorships
and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas
of healthcare, education and social services. Scotiabank is on the World Wide
Web at www.scotiabank.com.