Crossing Borders to Fight Cancer

People often ask why a Canadian travels all the way to Ohio to ride a bicycle in support of the American Cancer Society.

The answer is simple. Cancer knows no borders. Cancer does not care whether a person lives in Calgary or Cleveland. It does not care if a health card was issued in Alberta or Ohio. It does not care about politics, passports, currencies, or flags. Cancer affects everyone, and that is why the ride matters. For donations, please visit: Cancer Knows No Borders

An Unexpected Connection

The personal journey with the Pan Ohio Hope Ride began in an unexpected way, more than a decade ago, through a guest named Eddie Arsenault. In 2014, Eddie Arsenault and his wife booked a rail vacation with Canada Rail Vacations. They had plans, dreams, and all the anticipation that comes with travel, but life changed in an instant when Eddie was diagnosed with cancer. Their vacation was no longer the priority as he focused on fighting for his life.

Anyone who works in the travel industry knows that rail cancellation fees can be steep due to strict contracts and penalties. Determined to reduce the financial burden during one of the hardest times in his life, hours were spent on the phone and in emails working to minimize those costs. While every fee could not be eliminated, the goal was to make things as fair as possible.

Eddie was incredibly appreciative. During one of those conversations, details were shared about an annual bicycle ride undertaken to raise money for cancer research and patient care in Alberta. There was no expectation of a donation; it was simply a conversation about a shared interest. Even while fighting cancer himself, Eddie donated to the Alberta ride. The generosity of a man carrying the weight of a cancer diagnosis thinking of others was stunning. That gesture remained a powerful memory and inspired a desire to say thank you through action.

A simple internet search for American cancer bike rides led directly to the Pan Ohio Hope Ride. That single search changed everything.

Finding Community on the Open Road

The decision was made to sign up, cross the border in 2015, and head to Ohio without knowing what to expect.

What waited there was extraordinary. The event brought together survivors carrying their scars with pride, caregivers who had given everything for loved ones, and riders pedaling in memory of parents, spouses, siblings, and children. These were individuals who had every reason to be bitter, yet they chose hope instead.

The ride returned in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. The roads of Ohio became familiar, from quiet country routes to the rolling farmland through Amish country. Long conversations beside bicycles leaning against fences and laughter at dinner after a long day in the saddle became tradition. Rest stops transformed into reunions where volunteers remembered faces and names.

Every year, the journey south was greeted with hugs, smiles, and lighthearted jokes about a Canadian accent. It was a place of complete acceptance, where the miles seemed a little easier because the friendships grew stronger. Cancer may know no borders, but neither does kindness, generosity, friendship, love, or hope.

A Long-Awaited Return

In 2020, the pandemic arrived, the border closed, and travel became complicated. For the first time in years, the journey south was impossible. The ride was missed, but the people were missed even more. Every summer brought thoughts of Ohio and a consistent promise sent to friends there: I will be back.

Cancer did not stop during those years. People continued to receive diagnoses, families still waited in hospital rooms, and researchers kept searching for answers. Friendships do not disappear simply because a border closes, and that promise remained influential.

After all these years, the return is finally happening. This year brings another journey across the border to join friends on the Pan Ohio Hope Ride. This commitment is not based on nationality, but on humanity. One man’s generosity in 2014 served as a reminder that kindness travels farther than anyone realizes. Every dollar raised gives someone another chance, every rider carries a story, and hope is universal.

Ohio is a second home. Cancer knows no borders, and neither does hope. The ride begins in Cleveland on July 22, 2026.

Donate to the ACS

Supporting the Cause

To honor the incredible community of travelers from Ohio, Canada Rail Vacations will donate $25 per couple from Ohio in their name towards the ride. The names of these guests will be displayed above as a token of appreciation for their support and to celebrate the shared bonds that connect communities across North America.

Name Hometown
The Barretts Akron, Ohio
The Bartletts Cleveland, Ohio
The Bodners Toledo, Ohio
The Cahoons Cleveland Heights, Ohio
The Carpenters Avon Lake, Ohio
The Chances Miamisburg, Ohio
The Crothers Lima, Ohio
The Danielses Milford, Ohio
The Dempseys Cincinnati, Ohio
The Desches Englewood, Ohio
The Dybvads Cincinnati, Ohio
The Ferraros Westerville, Ohio

Name Hometown
The Foxes Beachwood, Ohio
The Foxes Columbus, Ohio
The Griffins Seven Hills, Ohio
The Havenses Pleasantville, Ohio
The Henches Defiance, Ohio
The Huefners Medina, Ohio
The Iafelices Concord Township, Ohio
The Keefers Toledo, Ohio
The Klinks Lakeview, Ohio
The Kuhls Perrysburg, Ohio
The Kuliches Canton, Ohio
The Lindseys Marshallville, Ohio

Name Hometown
The Lowrys Batavia, Ohio
The Lukcos Broadview Heights, Ohio
The MacDonalds Perrysburg, Ohio
The Murrays Beavercreek, Ohio
The Pifers Baltimore, Ohio
The Powells Galloway, Ohio
The Reichards Cincinnati, Ohio
The Reynoldses Archbold, Ohio
The Schlabachs Orrville, Ohio
The Schmids Columbus, Ohio
The Segals Cincinnati, Ohio
The Shreves Maineville, Ohio

Name Hometown
The Sibilas Canton, Ohio
The Soneks Beavercreek, Ohio
The Swindamans Maumee, Ohio
The Todoroffs Painesville, Ohio
The Tompkins Lebanon, Ohio
The Tylickis Northfield Center, Ohio
The Vaccarinos Lyndhurst, Ohio
The Valens Middletown, Ohio
The Van Brunts Cincinnati, Ohio
The Weises Worthington, Ohio
The Wolmans New Albany, Ohio
The Yans Dublin, Ohio

Charity