Cyclists get a head start on cancer research fundraiser

Alberta's largest cycling fundraiser, which raises money for cancer research, kicked off registration with a spin-a-thon.

Cancer survivors, cyclists and Alberta Cancer Foundation staff are spinning their wheels to raise awareness for an upcoming fundraiser.

Two stationary bikes were set up at the Cross Cancer Institute for a spin-a-thon to mark the opening of registration for the 2026 Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer.

Taking place in July, this will be the 18th year for the annual event, which has raised more than $111 million for research and patient care.

“The community and the event itself is really, really special,” said Ryan Kelly with the Alberta Cancer Foundation. “You feel it from the minute you walk on the grounds, it just feels like a big, loving, supportive community of riders and families.

“We’re really driven by purpose, and that really helps people, motivates them through some of the hard kilometers that they have to ride.”

One of the participants in Friday’s Spin For Hope event is cancer survivor Don Wilson who cycled in the tour last year.

He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2024 and underwent four rounds of chemotherapy and surgery in 2025.

“Cancer had spread all the way up into my lungs. It hadn’t passed my brain, which was really fortunate, but it had kind of gone rampant everywhere else,” Wilson said. “The recovery from that was quite tough. I don’t think I was fully recovered until May, so I only had a few months of training before the tour that I was going to do in July.

“Signing up for the tour really gave me a lot of motivation.”

Wilson had a CT scan two weeks ago and is cancer free and focused on moving forward with life, including training for this year’s tour.

The goal for this year’s event is to raise $7 million.

“All the funds raised from the tour is what enables people like me to keep on moving with life,” Wilson added.

“(We’re) able to get treatment quickly if there’s urgent need. It helps us get back to normal.”

Last year he was only able to cycle in one day of the two-day event and hopes to push himself to do both days this year.

The tour is expected to have around 1,800 riders participating and is the largest cycling event in Alberta, according to Kelly.

Registration for the 2026 Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer is open to people aged 16 and up. Donations are also being accepted online.

There are different distances to accommodate a range of skill levels for cyclists who sign up.

“The ride is a very accessible event … you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to be able to participate,” Kelly said.

One in two Albertans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, according to the Alberta Cancer Foundation.