Jarrod Russell of Lloydminster has ridden more than 10,000 kilometres over the past 10 years to raise money for childhood cancer research through the Great Cycle Challenge, a fundraiser for the SickKids Foundation. (Jarrod Russell/Facebook)

By Kenneth Cheung

GREAT CYCLE CHALLENGE

Lloydminster brain cancer survivor rides over 10,000 km in 10 years to fight childhood cancer

Jul 19, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Every August for the past decade, Jarrod Russell gets on his bike and rides—not for a medal, not for glory, but for kids he’s never met, fighting a disease he knows too well.

The 49-year-old from Lloydminster is a brain cancer survivor. Diagnosed with a tumour at age four, he survived—something not every child is fortunate enough to say.

So he rides. And rides. And rides.

“I’m gonna ride until there’s a cure and all the childhood cancer kids are out there playing, riding their bikes and playing…being a normal kid,” Russell said.

Since 2015, Russell has logged 10,724 kilometres and raised over $270,000 through the Great Cycle Challenge (GCC), a SickKids Foundation fundraiser supporting research into childhood cancer. His goal for 2025 is to ride 1,300 kilometres and surpass $300,000.

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“The Great Cycle Challenge community is truly remarkable, and we are so grateful for riders like Jarrod Russell, who have supported GCC since its inception in Canada 10 years ago,” said Angela Rose, associate director of Event Marketing at SickKids Foundation, in a statement.

“Our community of riders from all 13 provinces and territories have ridden nearly 28,000,000 kilometres, and together we have raised more than $54-million in support of research to develop treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer at SickKids.”

From solo effort to community cause

What began as a personal challenge quickly grew into something bigger. Local businesses in Lloydminster have joined in with fundraising events and donations.

“We’re very fortunate in Lloydminster here where we have strong community support,” said Russell’s sister, Lana Lane. “Every year… we always are thinking of different ways that we can do different things.”

Boston Pizza, where Russell once worked, held a fundraiser each September, donating $1 from every pizza sold toward his ride. Sellers RV also supported the effort with a family-friendly barbecue and bingo event, where all proceeds went directly to Russell’s fundraising campaign.

“There’s been some wonderful stories of sharing,” Lane said. “Jared has connected with families, not only in Lloydminster, but across the world.”

Riding for children who didn’t make it

Russell has dedicated rides to kids with cancer, including Braxton Weidman, a young boy from Alabama who passed away in 2022.

“Riding for Braxton was a really hard year, but a good year knowing that you were trying to do something for that family,” Lane said. “Letting them know that we were along the journey with them, supporting them as they were going through a really difficult time meant a lot to them.”

Braxton Weidman of Hoover, Alabama. ( Rick Karle Good News/Facebook)

Russell framed the jersey he wore that year beside a newspaper article about Braxton.

“Every day I look at it,” he said.

He’s also ridden in honour of Ben Stelter, the young Edmonton Oilers ambassador who died of brain cancer.

“The journey for some families is very, very difficult,” Lane said. “That’s again why Jared rides in hopes that… one day the stories are happier ones.”

A decade of training and commitment

Russell trains indoors through the winter and heads out as soon as the weather allows. To reach his August goal, he aims for 40 to 45 kilometres a day.

“I’m pushing to make it happen.”

Lane said he often rides multiple times a day: morning, afternoon, and evening, depending on weather.

Every year he earns a “hero jersey” for raising $2,500—jerseys designed by children at SickKids.

He’s kept them all.

“Maybe 15?” he said.

Lighting up the park

To celebrate 10 years, Russell and his family are organizing a community glow ride at Bud Miller Park on Aug. 19.

“People can also walk or run, and the trail will be lit up,” Lane said. “It’s a way of celebrating 10 years of supporting families that are battling childhood cancer…bringing community together to educate a little bit more and celebrate together… in hopes that one day there will be a cure. “

For Russell, his mission will alway remains the same.

“I’m gonna ride until there’s a cure.”

People who want to donate to Russell’s campaign can visit GreatCycleChallenge.ca/riders/JarrodQRussell.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com