Don Ross

8years All Star
Don Ross
Cancer is the largest killer of kids in Canada, 27 children are diagnosed every week. Please donate now and support my challenge to fight kids' cancer!
I've Ridden 516.0 km My goal is 1,000 km
My Rankings
  • National: 60th
  • Province: 28th in ON
I've raised $6,555 to fight kids' cancer Donate Now

I'm Riding For

In Memory of Griff Bell & in honour of Heather Ross

In Memory of Griff Bell & in honour of Heather Ross

As I ride each day , indoors in winter & outdoors spring to fall, it will be with the memory of 6 year old Griffin Bell from Ottawa ( June 26, 2017 - March 18, 2024 ) in my heart along with my inspirational partner Heather who I've been grateful to be married to for 46 years. She continues to set an amazing example for all our family and anyone who knows her with how she lives her life each and every day. She’s managed all the challenges of breast cancer since 1999 and Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer since 2011 in a dignified way that gives great hope and cheer to others. Her toughness is beyond measure and there is no quit in her character. https://cancerresearchsociety.ca/profile/a-testament-to-the-power-of-cancer-research/ These are the same qualities that Griff Bell displayed during his short life & other young children bring out in themselves as they manage their cancer treatments with their loving families always at their sides. Griff Bell was a bright light of joy to all who knew him during his life here on Earth and we’ll never stop fighting for children like him! #GriffinMyHeartForever #RidingForHeather #FightLikeaKid

My Story

3 Aug 2025

This will be my 8th year taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer! Why? Because right now, over 1,700 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it's the biggest killer of children from disease in Canada. 3 young lives are lost every week like the brave young boy who rides with me in my heart , 6 year old Griffin Bell from Ottawa ( June 26, 2017 - March 18, 2024 ) . Every 2 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer around the world. My wife & I sometimes see these young children when we are at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre & Toronto Western where she's been receiving ongoing care for Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. We’re so grateful for the life saving research being done there and for the care & treatment she receives at UHN in Toronto & at BGH Oncology in Belleville. Hospitals like Toronto Sick Kids and CHEO in Ottawa are doing incredible work with children dealing with cancer. As any parent or grandparent like us would say.....all kids should be living life, not fighting for it . So I'm raising funds through my challenge to ride each day all year long to help these kids and support Sick Kids Foundation . This helps them continue their work in developing treatments and finding a cure for childhood cancer. Please support me by making a donation to give these brave kids the brighter futures they deserve.Your support will change little lives. Thank you so much! #GriffinMyHeartForever #RidingForHeather #FightLikeAKid

My Legacy

Here's my personal impact over 8 years to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.
  • 1,562 km Ridden
    $1,541 Raised
    2018
  • 1,698 km Ridden
    $2,846 Raised
    2019
  • 2,456 km Ridden
    $1,045 Raised
    2020
  • 2,434 km Ridden
    $4,509 Raised
    2021
  • 2,010 km Ridden
    $3,594 Raised
    2022
  • 2,135 km Ridden
    $8,370 Raised
    2023
  • 1,988 km Ridden
    $6,316 Raised
    2024
  • 516 km Ridden
    $6,555 Raised
    2025
8years
14,799 km
Ridden
$34,776
Raised

My Challenge

  • $2,500 raised to fight kids' cancer!

    I just raised $2,500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved SUPERHERO LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

    Posted 23 hours ago
  • $2,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!

    I just raised $2,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved LEGEND LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

    Posted 23 hours ago
  • 38.0 km ride - Milford to Cherry Valley - Cty rd #24 - pt Petre Lighthouse- Royal Rd to home - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
    Logged this ride 1 day ago
  • 36.0 km ride - Indoor trainer - Tuesday, August 12, 2025
    Logged this ride 2 days ago
  • 36.0 km ride - Milford via 17-8-17-16-13-10 - Monday, August 11, 2025
    Logged this ride 3 days ago
  • 36.0 km ride - Milford - Base 31-10-8-17 & home - Sunday, August 10, 2025
    Logged this ride 4 days ago
  • Kick Cancer’s Butt Day ….Thanks Garron Family!
    9 Aug 2025

    This Wednesday is Kick Cancer's Butt Day! 💪.On Kick Cancer's Butt Day, the Garron Family has generously pledged to MATCH ALL DONATIONS received this Wednesday, up to $1,300,000! So that means ANY online donation received on Wednesday the 13th will be matched . #griffinmyheartforever #thegldnsociety #fightlikeakid

    Kick Cancer’s Butt Day ….Thanks Garron Family!
    Posted 5 days ago
  • 44.0 km ride - Milford to Cherry Valley to Pt Petre Lighthouse via #10. & 24 then back same way - Saturday, August 9, 2025
    Logged this ride 5 days ago
  • 50.0 km ride - Milford to Glenora Ferry and back via #17 and #33 - Friday, August 8, 2025
    Logged this ride 6 days ago
  • 48.0 km ride - Milford Lakeshore Lodge Sandbanks & back via #10 & 18 - Thursday, August 7, 2025
    Logged this ride 7 days ago
  • 48.0 km ride - Milford-17-16-13-8-25-Lake on the Mt-33-Picton- 17-milford - Wednesday, August 6, 2025
    Logged this ride 8 days ago
  • 40.0 km ride - Milford to end of Salmon Pt Rd & back via #10-Brummell Rd-#18 - Tuesday, August 5, 2025
    Logged this ride 9 days ago
  • 32.0 km ride - Milford around pond then Cty Rd 17 to end and back - Monday, August 4, 2025
    Logged this ride 10 days ago
  • 24.0 km ride - Indoor due to bad air quality outdoors - Sunday, August 3, 2025
    Logged this ride 11 days ago
  • 44.0 km ride - Milford-17-16-wilolea Lane-13-10-milford - Saturday, August 2, 2025
    Logged this ride 12 days ago
  • 40.0 km ride - Milford- Cherry Valley- Pt Petre Lighthouse- 17 - Milford - Friday, August 1, 2025
    Logged this ride 13 days ago
  • Ready to Rock n Roll!
    31 Jul 2025

    Well, tomorrow…August 1st….all our training rides get bumped off the site and we all start at 0 km towards our month long goals. I’m ready to jump on my Time Machine 🚲 ( get on it at 70 and get off feeling like I’m 35 ) and put in my 1000 km and raise at least $5000. I had a good June 816 km and July 916km in afternoon heat so August won’t seem so rough. I’ve banked 4272 km towards my virtual cross Canada ride goal too so feeling confident I’ll make the 7821 km by end of year. #griffinmyheartforever #fightlikeakid

    Ready to Rock n Roll!
    Posted 14 days ago
  • Sam Says Thanks For Your Donations
    30 Jul 2025

    Meet Sam

    3-year-old Sam is our official GUARDIAN level ambassador. 🧡

    In May 2024, Sam was diagnosed with high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

    As he was classified "high-risk", Sam required more intensive treatment.

    The first month of chemotherapy, known as the induction phase, was really tough. Sam endured intensive chemo and fought a serious bacterial infection following port-insertion surgery.

    His treatment journey since then has had its ups and downs, but the constant support of his care team has been a source of great comfort.

    This March, Sam was given a second diagnosis of Noonan syndrome, which is a genetic disorder that can affect growth, facial features, heart function, and development.

    This diagnosis is helping his team better monitor his treatment, and the way his body responds.

    Sam's bright and goofy personality continues to shine as he bravely fights this disease. He's made so many friends in the oncology ward. 😊

    This is one amazing little man.

    Today, Sam has a message for you: THANK YOU !

    Sam Says Thanks For Your Donations
    Posted 15 days ago
  • $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 16 days ago
  • Today is Tribute Day
    24 Jul 2025

    Remembering all those special children who sadly have succumbed to cancer and all those still struggling to cope with this dreadful disease. We will never give up trying to help nor will we forget those who have left this Earth. #GriffinMyHeartForever #fightlikeakid

    Today is Tribute Day
    Posted 21 days ago
  • $ 1 Million Mark Reached
    22 Jul 2025

    We've now raised $1,000,000 to fight kids' cancer! 🥳🙌✨

    Our buddy Liam the Legend made this spectacular multicolored sign to help celebrate this 'AMAZING' and 'FANTASTIC' milestone. 💪

    9-year-old Liam is bravely fighting leukemia for the 3rd time in his young life.

    His cancer journey has been a rollercoaster, and he continues to face the highs and lows with incredible maturity and positivity. ✊

    Your AMAZING fundraising efforts are giving hope to Liam and his family that we can live in a world free from childhood cancer. 🧡

    So, let's celebrate this achievement and continue to smash these AMAZING MILESTONES…

    Because kids like Liam should be living life, not fighting for it. #GriffinMyHeartForever

    $ 1 Million Mark Reached
    Posted 24 days ago
  • Sam Thanks Everyone!
    19 Jul 2025

    MEET SAM

    3-year-old Sam is a caring, goofy and mischievous boy who is currently in maintenance treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

    Last year, on May 26, Sam was rushed to his local hospital and then urgently transferred to SickKids in Toronto.

    At the time, his platelet count was dangerously low (at just 5), which meant his blood couldn’t clot properly – putting him at serious risk of internal bleeding.

    He was admitted for immediate treatment, and further testing confirmed the devastating news…

    Sam was diagnosed with high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

    The “high-risk” classification meant that Sam’s case required more intensive treatment. His family’s world was turned upside down, and those early days were overwhelming. It was hard to process what was happening, and what was still to come.

    Sam’s first month of treatment, known as the induction phase, was tough. He endured multiple rounds of intensive chemotherapy and developed a serious bacterial infection following port insertion surgery. Further surgery was required to remove the initial port and insert a PICC line to deliver treatments.

    Thankfully, the next stretch of treatment went more smoothly. He completed the consolidation phase of chemotherapy and his first round of specialized immunotherapy drug Blina without any major setbacks.

    The first interim maintenance phase of treatment then brought new challenges. It was especially hard on his little body, but the constant support of his SickKids team brought his family a lot of comfort. His mom, Tiffany, told us, “They were always there when we needed them… we always felt heard.”

    In January 2025, after a much-needed break between treatments, Sam’s family returned to Toronto for his second round of immunotherapy.

    He is currently undergoing the second interim maintenance phase, the next step in his long treatment plan.

    Thanks to advanced genetic testing, Sam has recently been given another diagnosis that allowed his care team to better monitor his treatment and understand why all this may have happened.

    Sam’s original leukemia tests flagged markers that pointed to another condition, and in March, Sam was officially diagnosed with Noonan syndrome. It is a genetic disorder that can affect growth, facial features, heart function, and development. So far, Sam’s case appears mild. His parents have also undergone genetic testing to understand whether the condition was inherited, and they are waiting on results.

    They told us, “SickKids is crucial to our family. It’s healing, Sam, and it’s healing us. Without their genetic testing and research, we never would have discovered his second diagnosis.”

    By now, Sam is a familiar face in the oncology ward at SickKids. Whenever he visits, he announces himself with a cheerful, “I’m baaack!!”

    He may be a little guy, but he has a big, bright personality! He loves dressing up as a ninja or Darth Vader, insists on wearing his signature yellow rain boots in all weather, and goes through hilarious food phases… sautéed mushrooms are his current obsession.

    Sam’s cancer journey isn’t over yet, he continues to bravely fight this disease with his family by his side.

    GCC’ers, let’s pedal as hard as we can for Super Sam this August!

    Sam Thanks Everyone!
    Posted 26 days ago
  • $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 26 days ago
  • A Ride for the Brave
    17 Jul 2025

    Lovely poem from one of our GCC riders Lily Sotomayor that says a lot about what motivates us to keep pedalling for kids with cancer. #griffinmyheartforever # fightlikeakid

    A Ride for the Brave
    Posted 28 days ago
  • $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 29 days ago
  • Instagram Rider Profile from GCCCanada today
    11 Jul 2025

    Legacy rider Don has ridden 14,283km and raised $28,309 over the last 7 years… and he’s gearing up for another big year of riding to save little lives! 🚴‍♂️

    This dedicated GCC’er rides in memory of Griffin “Griff” Bell, and to honour his wife of 46 years, Heather (pictured). 🧡

    Don learned of Griff’s story through his son who knows the Bell family well. Griff passed away in March 2024 at just 6 years old, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. The 26th of June would have been Griff’s 8th birthday. 💔

    While Don and Griff never had the chance to meet in person, Don can feel Griff’s presence with him when he rides. Having supported his wife through her own long battle with cancer, Griff’s story touched him deeply.

    His inspiring wife, Heather, has been managing the challenges of breast cancer since her initial diagnosis in 1999, and a later aggressive recurrence in 2011. In Don’s words, “her toughness is beyond measure, and there is no quit in her character.” 💪

    Thankfully, Heather is now in remission and cherishing every precious moment and milestone with her family.

    Inspired by Griff and Heather, Don has set himself a GCC ride goal of 1,000km AND an annual cycling goal of riding the equivalent of the distance across Canada (a casual 7,821km).

    GCC’ers, let’s hear it for the incredible Don! 🙌

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DL9w7Mtp6wN/?igsh=MThpMjR1YTJrcmEwNw==

    #griffinmyheartforever #fightlikeakid

    Instagram Rider Profile from GCCCanada today
    Posted 34 days ago
  • $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 34 days ago
  • 1/2 way across 🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇦
    30 Jun 2025

    6 months in and 3356 km completed so well on track for my cross country goal by end of the year. Happy Canada Day weekend. #griffinmyheartforever

    1/2 way across 🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇦
    Posted 45 days ago
  • Thinking even more about Griff and the Bell family today
    26 Jun 2025

    Today Griff Bell would have turned 8 years of age. We all ride each year so other children with cancer can live to celebrate many more birthdays with their loved ones. #griffinmyheartforever

    Thinking even more about Griff and the Bell family today
    Posted 49 days ago
  • Year 8 Rides Well Underway
    12 Jun 2025

    Happy to say that in the past 7 years of the GCC during the month each year of recorded rides and fundraising , I’ve been able to log 14,283 km and raise $28,257.08. Looking forward to doing this event again this year and achieving/ exceeding my goal of 1000 km and $5000. My other annual goal that I aim for is riding the equivalent of across Canada ( 7821 km ) from Jan to Dec and so far I’m on track with 2932 km completed. All for a great cause for some amazing children and their families. #GriffinMyHeartForever

    Year 8 Rides Well Underway
    Posted 63 days ago
  • Remembering Griffin Bell
    21 Mar 2025

    This is why we ride, for children like Griff and families like the Bells. #GriffinMyHeartForever #golden #fightlikeakid

    Remembering Griffin Bell
    Posted 146 days ago

My Sponsors

  • Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation
    “Here's your matched donation made possible by the generosity of long-time SickKids Foundation supporters, the Garron family. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
    $2,172.36
    Received this donation 5 hours ago
  • Leslie Bell
    “Don your spirit is an inspiration to all of us ! Thank you for working so hard to help so many , in the memory of our sweet Griffin. Sheila and Les”
    $1,035
    Received this donation 15 hours ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Dear Les & Sheila, I’m truly grateful to be healthy and able to do this each year to help keep Griff’s indomitable spirit alive in my small way. He continues to inspire me by his determination during his short lifetime and I honestly feel him riding with me each day on my bike. The entire Bell family has created a legacy of caring and giving in tribute to Griffin that will make so many lives better at Sick Kids in Toronto and CHEO. Thank you for this most generous contribution today. 💕”
  • Jim and Sarah Hurst
    “Way to go Don. So proud of you as always”
    $476.10
    Received this donation 23 hours ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Sarah & Jim, You’ve always been in our corner and support us with your encouragement, generosity and kindness. It means the world to us and paying it forward helps so many people in meaningful ways. Thanks once again for helping make this year’s ride a big success. 💕”
  • Mary L Strey
    “Ride on Don. Enjoy!”
    $362.25
    Received this donation 23 hours ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “You’re amazing Cuz…..BeeCuz you’ve got a ❤️ of gold and it’s as big as the Sleeping Giant. Thank you for your ongoing loyal support and geneROSSity :) 💕 from Heather and I”
  • Lorie Stevenson
    “Keep riding for the kids Don.”
    $207
    Received this donation 23 hours ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Lorie, I sure will, you can count on that. No quit in these kids we ride for nor in the yound lady I live with , as you know !:) Your loyal and generous support each year means a lot to us. Thanks again.”
  • Carol and Michael Cooke
    “Wishing you great rides Don and many thanks for your devotion to this fundraiser!”
    $155.25
    Received this donation 26 days ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Mike & Carol, You’re the absolute best and I’m very grateful for how much you’ve supported my efforts each year. Thank you.”
  • Lynn Watson
    $155.25
    Received this donation 1 day ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Lynn, Your continued support has been amazing and I can't thank you enough. This matching day donation will boost the campaign even more thanks to people like you and the Garron Family.”
  • Cathy MacDonald
    $124.20
    Received this donation 20 days ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Good morning Cathy, I’m very grateful for your generosity in supporting this effort and on behalf of the children and families who will benefit from your kindness, I want to thank you very much. 🥰”
  • Patricia White
    $124.20
    Received this donation 2 days ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Thank you very much Pat. It matters to so many children and families that there are people in the world like you who care enough to donate to help them deal with their situation. We’re grateful for your loyal support over the years and helps motivate me to keep pedalling. Best regards from Heather and I .”
  • Paula Walker
    “Thank you for doing this Don! Best wishes!”
    $124.20
    Received this donation 29 days ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Paula and Bruce, You’ve been such loyal, generous donors each year and I’m so grateful for your support of this effort to help these children at Toronto Sick Kids. Thank you.”
  • Stuart Ross
    “Very proud of your commitment to this cause brother! KEEP ON RIDING!!”
    $124.20
    Received this donation 16 hours ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Thanks Stuart….”Keeping on keeping on “ is a good motto I try to follow. Thinking about what these kids and their families are managing to “keep on through “ is all the motivation I need. Living with a real life cancer survivor miracle every day shows there’s always hope for these kids too.”
  • Jenna Ross
    “Go Dad go!! Keep pedaling and inspiring 😍🥰”
    $111
    Received this donation 34 days ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Thanks 111 times over. 🥰”
  • Karen Whelpdale
    $103.50
    Received this donation 14 days ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/donate/thank-you/854313 Thanks very much for your generosity each year . It's greatly appreciated.”
  • Lynn Watson
    “Thanks for doing this Don. Have a great ride!”
    $103.50
    Received this donation 26 days ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Much appreciated Lynn….your support each year helps me pedal even more on those hot summer afternoons!”
  • Dave and Alison Hicks
    $100
    Received this donation 10 days ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Allison and Dave, You are both such kind and gentle souls and Heather and I are honoured to know you and consider you our dear friends. Thanks very much for this generous contribution to the ride this year. It means a lot to so many people we will never get to meet in person.”
  • Deb
    “Heather and Don are an inspiration!”
    $100
    Received this donation 20 hours ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Deb and Don, So grateful to have good friends like you in our corner cheering us on and supporting this cause that means so much to us and all the families it brings hope and relief to. Thanks again for your generosity again this year.”
  • Debbie Cooke
    $100
    Received this donation 17 days ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Hi Debbie, I received your generous donation today and will submit it on the matching day in August so that it will have a greater impact helping these children and their families who we are riding for. Thanks so much for your support over the years, and enjoy your time with family when you leave.”
  • Lean McConnell
    $100
    Received this donation 16 days ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Leon and Vernice, Your loyal support of this fundraiser over the years has been amazing and means a lot to us. Thanks so much . I will make sure your donation gets submitted on the day of the matching offer when it arrives .”
  • Carol Cooke
    “Couldn't let this day pass by without thinking of those children who benefit from r your continuous peddling and the generous donor family behind this `matching day'. Thanks.”
    $77.63
    Received this donation 17 hours ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Mike & Carol, Your geneROSSity and encouragement from yr 1 to yr 8 has been wonderful and it definitely makes a difference in many lives. Thanks.”
  • Courtney and Ethan Hurst
    “Well done Don! Keep riding for this amazing cause. Lots of love from Scotland!”
    $77.63
    Received this donation 16 hours ago
    Don Ross
    Don
    “Courtney & Ethan, You’ve won the award for my donor from furthest distance away :) Although far in KM you’re never far from our 💕. This cause means a lot to us and we know what we’re doing helps make a difference in the lives of many people. I’ll never quit riding for these kids who show no quit in their daily challenges. Thanks so much for your kindness .”
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