Tony Griffin is a man on a mission. Ireland’s all-star hurling champion, Dalhousie student, and founder of the Tony Griffin Foundation, kicks-off his 7000km Ride for the Cure. On April 27, Griffin will depart from Halifax, Nova Scotia and arrive in Vancouver, British Columbia to begin his bike tour across Canada and Ireland in search for a cure for cancer in memory of his father, Jerome Griffin.
“He can do it. He’s a man with a purpose,” states 7-time Tour de France winner, and cancer champion, Lance Armstrong. On April 20, Griffin went to his home in Austin, Texas to speak personally with Armstrong about his cycling experiences, his battle with cancer, and the spirit of live strong. Griffin confides Armstrong is an inspiration for the 7000km Ride for the Cure, “as a man who has accomplished so much, and continues to do great things. We all have a purpose in life. I’ve never biked a long distance before, and I chose this path because I want people to believe that they can do something to change the world too.”
As his first fundraising initiative, Griffin will cycle 7000km across the second largest land mass in the world, and his home country of Ireland, to raise €1,000,000 for three major international organizations in support of cancer research. Funds raised in Canada will benefit Ovarian Cancer Canada. Pledges made within Ireland will be donated to the Irish Cancer Society and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Tony will be arriving in Winnipeg on May 21st, and will be having a rest day here. We are hoping to arrange a function to laud his achievement in the Irish Club on May 22nd. Please check our website irishassociation.ca for full details which were not available as we went to press.
