\u201cThis isn\u2019t just a trip \u2014 it\u2019s a mission,\u201d says Cycling 4 Cancer cross-Canada bicyclist Tom Hartnett. \u201cEvery step I take is for the fighters, the survivors and the ones we\u2019ve lost.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cycling 4 Cancer is a fundraiser that started June 1 and is ending in late August.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hartnett started in Ontario and arrived in Alberta July 28. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Hartnett has beaten cancer twice and lost his father to cancer in early May. His aim is to raise as much money as possible, with 100 per cent of the funds going towards cancer research.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
He is fully self-sufficient and covers all of his own travel costs and gear. \u201cA lot of people share my story or take pictures with me. I get honks going down the highway all the time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had a few people offer me money. I told them no \u2013 I didn\u2019t want cash. They can take it to the Canadian Cancer Society. I would much rather them have it, than me.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will be coming through Lethbridge, will take Highway 3 through the Frank Slide and will take that route up to Vancouver,\u201d Hartnett explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hartnett was in Brooks July 31 and was planning on heading to Drumheller first, and hopes to be in the Lethbridge area within the next week.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kindness of strangers across Canada has been absolutely amazing. If it wasn\u2019t for them, I don\u2019t know if I would be able to get by sometimes,\u201d adds Hartnett.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hartnett has hitchhiked across the country nine times. \u201cThree times for charity. This is going to be my fourth time for charity, but my first time doing it on a bicycle.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two of the challenges biking across Canada include the hills and wind, Hartnett notes. \u201cThe weather is a little bit of a factor. The rainstorms aren\u2019t too great.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hartnett has made the journey a personal mission to try and raise awareness about cancer, while raising money to give back to the world from the trip. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of my way to grieve, just being on the open road.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve raised almost $600, so far. I was hoping to raise more, but I\u2019m happy with this $600. I was hoping to raise $10,000. I was trying to do a dollar a kilometre. I\u2019ve done almost 8,500 kilometres, so far,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cancer is indeed a big problem, Hartnett adds. \u201cThere needs to be more money raised to handle it, so people don\u2019t have to deal with it. Especially children. No child should have to deal with cancer at all.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate the kindness of strangers getting me this far. I\u2019m really enjoying Alberta, so far. This is my favourite province. I can\u2019t wait to hit the mountains,\u201d notes Hartnett.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For more information about the Canadian Cancer Society or if you\u2019re in need of support visit online at cancer.ca<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-31-100433-220x300.jpg\")
Cycling 4 Cancer cross-Canada bicyclist Tom Hartnett.