The Brock University community has the chance to impact local cancer care — one kilometre at a time.

The Brock University Cyclones are recruiting new riders for next month’s Big Move Cancer Ride, organized by the Niagara Health Foundation in support of the Walker Family Cancer Centre in St. Catharines.

Karl Thorp, who has captained the Cyclones since 2010, is encouraging faculty, staff, students and alumni to join the Brock team for its 18th annual ride.

The Senior Platoon Supervisor with Campus Safety Services has seen the impact local cancer care has had in Niagara.

“I have known people who have directly benefited from getting treatment from the hospital here, which enabled them to lean on the strength and support from nearby family and friends without having to travel great distances,” Thorp said. “Every donation, no matter how small, is important.”

The Cyclones have raised more than $250,000 in the past 17 rides, earning Brock’s team a spot on the Elite Peddlers tier of the event’s Platinum Peddlers Club.

Pledges collected by Big Move participants fund the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment at the Walker Family Cancer Centre, helping to improve patient outcomes, increase efficiency, ensure precision-targeted treatment and improve diagnostic accuracy.

Brock staff, faculty, students and alumni are encouraged to join the Cyclones and participate in the Sunday, Sept. 13 event for the Big Move’s 25-, 50- and 75-kilometre rides as well as the 14-km Fun Ride that starts and finishes at White Meadows Farm in Pelham.

To encourage Brock participation in September’s ride, new team members will receive a University-branded cycling jersey, courtesy of donations from former Board of Trustees Chairs John Suk (BSc ’73) and Gary Comerford.

To register, visit the Niagara Health Foundation’s Big Move Cancer Ride website and select the Brock University team.