MCAT Members To Participate In Ride To Conquer Cancer

Members of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Toronto (MCAT) will represent the industry in a fund-raising event of epic proportion.

For two days – Jun. 20 to 22, 2008 – a group of mechanical contractors and suppliers from the Toronto area will gear up to participate in The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

“We are on a conquest,” said Matt Dimond, Geo. A. Kelson Co. Ltd., MCAT1 team captain. “We’re here because we know that cancer is too big a disease to ignore. It affects everyone, maybe you, me, our parents, kids, siblings or friends. Sadly, maybe all of the above. But by riding in this event, we are doing something about it. We’re rolling closer and closer to the end of cancer. It’s an awesome triumph in a physical sense and emotionally as well.”

The Ride will see cycling enthusiasts ride over 200 kilometres from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Day one will see participants ride along Lake Ontario from Toronto as they head towards Mississauga and then north-west to Halton Hills. From there, riders will make their way towards Dundas / Ancaster. The course will be ridden on a combination of city streets and country roads. There will be pit stops set up every 25 to 30 kilometres before participants reach camp in the Hamilton area on Saturday night.

Day Two will riders travel up the Niagara escarpment and along country roads that will offer a view of the entire Golden Horseshoe. From there participants will meander through wine country along roads leading towards the Welland Canal. The ride will wrap up at Canada’s most famous natural wonder, Niagara Falls where the finish line and closing ceremonies will be held.

Money raised for The Ride to Conquer Cancer will benefit The Princess Margaret hospital, one of the top five cancer research hospitals in the world. Funding will go towards high content clinical trials such as the world class tumour bank, an advanced molecular profiling laboratory, and a drug development program. The Princess Margaret will also be able to put funds to work for other programs like cancer stem cell, cancer metabolism and microenvironment, immunotherapy, lung cancer and prostrate cancer programs.

The Ride is geared towards everyone from the average weekend warrior to accomplished cyclists. It will be a challenge, but that’s exactly what makes it so meaningful. In order to participate, each cyclist must raise $2,500.

Currently, there are currently three MCAT teams participating in the Ride.

The Dobbin Wildcats (representing R.G. Dobbin Sales Ltd.) include Bruce Laing, Jason Boyd, Claudia Casciato, Daniel David, Palma Disciullo, Cam Hall, Robert Hughes and Christine Laing.

The MCAT – Wolseley Super 7 team is comprised of Ian Thompson, Jeff Banks, Steve Henry, Will Johnstone, Ryan Marshall, Scott McIntyre and Jennifer Spencer.

The MCAT1 team consists of Matt Dimond, Geo. A. Kelson; Michael Anderson, Adelt Mechanical; Keith Davidge, Sayers & Associates; Ken Marks, (Company Represented) and Scott Munro, Adelt Mechanical.

If you are interested in joining the MCAT1 team or would like to donate to this history-making event, please visit www.conquercancer.ca or contact Matt Dimond at