Tour des Chutes, an annual fundraising event for local cancer survivorship programs, was held July 12th, 2014 with record level participation by riders and sponsors. In August the board of directors announced they planned to grant $125,000 to local cancer survivorship programs.
On Tuesday, October 14, at the monthly DEFEAT Cancer meeting, Gary Bonacker, Tour des Chutes Founder and Leslie Cogswell, Executive Director presented an $85,000 check to St. Charles Foundation to be used specifically for their cancer survivorship programs.
The ceremony included a special evening where speakers reflected a theme of “Finding Meaning, Finding Purpose”. Participants spoke of appreciating the little things. Gary Bonacker said, “One of the most exciting things happening in time and space right now is our lives. Because we are survivors today. Surviving is living.”
The remaining $40,000 from the TdC grant has been reserved for the newly formed Pediatric Foundation, which has already begun serving families. These funds will be used exclusively to assist families of children with cancer who travel outside the Central Oregon area for treatments.
Tour des Chutes was founded in 2005 by Bend resident, business owner and cancer survivor Gary Bonacker for the purpose of funding St Charles Cancer Center Survivorship Programs. In addition to funding survivorship programs, the annual cycling and running event is embraced by thousands in the community as a celebration of life.
The board of directors has announced the date of the eleventh annual Tour des Chutes, planned for Saturday, July 11, 2015. It will again offer multi-distance cycling routes as well as the 2nd Annual COPA Family 5K. More information is available at www.tourdeschutes.org.
“The Tour des Chutes has a different meaning for different riders. The ride gives you time to reflect on where you are in life, the full meaning of being a part of this world and time to reflect on the people you love.” – Gary Bonacker.
Tour des Chutes: The Ride. The Run. The Inspiration.
