Brenda Potter Phelan
- National: 331st
- Province: 183rd in ON
I'm Riding For
Katie H, Ben S and all other little warriors
Katie Herron of Cambridge should be 16 this year. Instead she died at age 7 after a lifelong battle with cancer. This brave and sweet warrior will never be forgotten. I will be thinking of her on every ride this month 💜
My Story
This will be my 4th August taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight childhood cancer. I am just one of thousands of cyclists across Canada (age 4-80) taking part in this annual cycling challenge to support ALL kids fighting cancer. Funds raised will help Sick Kids continue their work in finding a cure and in developing new treatments to save little lives.
We also ride every August to show support for all the children impacted by cancer (and their families) to let them know that they are not alone. 1,700 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in Canada and thousands are in treatment right now. There are 12 main types of cancer and 47 main sub-types of childhood cancer. Despite this, childhood cancer only receives 5-7% of cancer research funding.
Your support (big and small) will help me help SickKids continue to make progress in the fight against childhood cancer. Kids should be living life and riding their bikes, not fighting for their lives.
Every year I dedicate my ride to Katie H of Cambridge who died at age 7 and Ben Stelter of Edmonton who died at age 6. year, But this year, I am also riding for Michelle who lost her fight against breast cancer on July 28, 2025. She was a kind, generous and accomplished young woman and the beloved child of her parents; because no matter their age, a child is always our child.
Grateful thanks for your support in helping to make a difference to this dreadful disease.
All the best to you and yours,
Brenda
My Legacy
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590 km Ridden$4,974 Raised2022
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673 km Ridden$6,460 Raised2023
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945 km Ridden$6,251 Raised2024
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209 km Ridden$1,929 Raised2025
My Challenge
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Today is double up Wednesday !
13 Aug 2025This is double up Wednesday for the Great Cycle Challenge where all donations up to $1.3 million will be matched by the kind generosity of the Garron Family of Toronto who lost their son Michael to childhood cancer. Michael lost his battle at the age of 13 in 1975. Michael was worried that he would be forgotten but his mom told him “As long as I'm alive, no way will you ever be forgotten."
Since then, the Garron family has donated $50 million to the hospital where Michael was born (Toronto East General) and $30 million to SickKids to revolutionize the care and treatment of children's cancer in Canada and around the world. In recent years, they have continued to give to Sick Kids by annually matching donations made on one day in August of every year. That day this year is today Wednesday August 13th. The ongoing generosity of the Garron family is a mother’s promise kept, your donation today will make you feel twice as good and help SickKids Foundation continue their efforts in the fight against childhood cancer.
1,700 kids in Canada and diagnosed with cancer every year and thousands are in treatment right now. Despite this, childhood cancer only receives 5-7% of cancer research funding. That's why I have participated in this challenge every August and why your support will make such a difference to SickKids continuing to make progress in the fight against childhood cancer. Kids should be living life and riding their bikes, not fighting for their lives.
This month, I'm riding and raising funds because there are too many kids like Michael Garron who have lost the battle and too many kids like Liam who is 9 and has battled cancer 3 times in his young life. I'm also riding and raising funds because every single day I'm grateful to have 2 healthy kids.
Thousands of my GCC colleagues from coast to coast to coast in Canada are also riding and raising funds this month - it has been a tough month of heat, humidity, wildfires, smoke, and too many evacuations. Please consider a donation to my page or someone you may know that is also riding and raising funds for SickKids. To those who have already donated this month, I am so very grateful for your support.
Posted 3 hours ago -
30.5 km ride - North Rustico to Cavendish & homestead trail looip - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Logged this ride 8 hours ago - View on Strava -
$1,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $1,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved WARRIOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 14 hours ago -
22.3 km ride - North Rustico to Cavendish & back - Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Logged this ride 1 day ago - View on Strava -
28.4 km ride - Confederation Trail - Emerald to Kensington - Saturday, August 9, 2025
Logged this ride 4 days ago - View on Strava -
$500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved GUARDIAN LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 4 days ago -
19.2 km ride - Brackley Beach to Dalvay by the Sea - Thursday, August 7, 2025
Logged this ride 6 days ago - View on Strava -
$250 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $250 to fight kids' cancer and achieved PROTECTOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 6 days ago -
17.1 km ride - Rustico and Cymbria loop - Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Logged this ride 8 days ago - View on Strava -
39.9 km ride - North Rustico to cavendish and around homeland trail - Monday, August 4, 2025
Logged this ride 9 days ago - View on Strava -
35.5 km ride - Brackely beach to Dalvay and Robinson's Island - Saturday, August 2, 2025
Logged this ride 11 days ago - View on Strava -
15.9 km ride - Sweet and short Summerside cycle - Friday, August 1, 2025
Logged this ride 12 days ago - View on Strava -
$100 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $100 to fight kids' cancer and achieved DEFENDER LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 13 days ago
My Sponsors
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Anonymous
“Thanks Brenda for all your efforts to help fight kid's cancer!”
$517.50Received this donation 14 hours ago -
Layne Coleman
“I am inspired by Brenda Phelan Potter's commitment to Sick Kids and her generous work in the community. Thank you, Brenda, for fighting cancer.”
$310.50Received this donation 7 hours ago -
David and Keitha Potter
“Great work for a very worthy cause. Keep on pedaling.”
$207Received this donation 4 days ago -
Andrea Dunning
“Supporting you in this very worthy cause. Go Brenda!!!”
$124.20Received this donation 10 days ago
Brenda
“Thanks so much kind and generous friend! I REALLY appreciate your support for me and for Sick Kids Foundation. Maybe we can finally take a ride together on this beautiful island this month!”
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Quinn
$124.20Received this donation 9 hours ago -
Carol Potter
“Keep riding for the kids Brenda!”
$103.50Received this donation 3 hours ago -
Catherine LeBlanc
$103.50Received this donation 4 hours ago -
Lorraine Mullins
$103.50Received this donation 9 hours ago -
Denise Walsh
“Your dedication to this cause is a true reflection of your character. So proud of your commitment Brenda.”
$72.45Received this donation 8 hours ago -
Anonymous
“Thanks Brenda for all your support now I can support you in your ride for Cancer patients. Thanks once again.”
$72.45Received this donation 63 days ago -
Helen McDonald
“Thank you Brenda supporting this wonderful cause. Have a great experience cycling around the island.”
$51.75Received this donation 13 days ago
Brenda
“Thanks for getting my challenge off the ground today Helen! Much appreciate your support !!! All the best”
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Lisa Konnry
“Have a great ride for a great cause!”
$51.75Received this donation 6 days ago -
Deanna Hollinger
“Thank you for the extreme effort you put in ...for others. Glad to donate on this day which doubles my contribution!”
$50Received this donation 10 hours ago -
Kathleen Payzant
“Good luck and thank you for caring.”
$36.23Received this donation 8 hours ago