Gavin Giles

One More Time For Cancer Research, Treatment, and Prevention

Welcome to my page.  And thank you for reading.  

This year, I am celebrating my pending 70th birthday, and what will be the last of my 25 charity cycling events.  14 of those have been in support of the MS cause.  And 11, including the one discussed here, have all been in support of the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Foundation fight against cancer.

Rather than just asking for your money, I have some to sell. And the thing I am selling is life.  That’s right, life.  The type of life which is spared because of cancer research.  The type of life which is extended because of cancer treatment.  The type of life which gets to see another birthday, or Christmas, or a child or a grandchild graduate, or a child have children of their own.  The possibilities stemming from a donation to my Ride this year are endless. But they all relate to life.  And if you join me, you will be relating to life too.  

Nova Scotia has the highest cancer rates in Canada. Over recent years, one in two will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and one in three cancer patients will not survive.  Many of these victims are our family members, our friends, our neighbours, and our co-workers.  Cancer is indiscriminate.  It is everywhere, and it touches everyone.  And just this year, it claimed the life of my oldest and best friend, Robert Salah.  He not yet 73.   

That’s why I am riding in the 12th and final BMO Ride for Cancer — hosted by the QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation — to help fund lifesaving cancer care for all Nova Scotians.  

The list of those affected by cancer keeps growing, and so must our commitment to conquering it. This is our time to lead the charge and continue our journey to transform local cancer care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

Funds raised by the 2026 BMO Ride for Cancer community will support the full spectrum of cancer care at the QEII — strengthening every stage of the journey: earlier diagnosis, more targeted treatment, effective support between appointments, and monitoring that can detect cancer recurrence sooner. 

This means advancing cancer-fighting technology and treatment options including: 

• Best-in-class imaging to detect cancer earlier with greater accuracy, reduce scan times and cut wait times 
• Precision oncology tools to help tailor therapies to each patient’s unique genetics 
• Surgical robotics and innovation to enable less invasive procedures and faster recoveries 
• Digital tools that empower and support patients at home, removing location barriers between appointments 

Together, our BMO Ride for Cancer community is helping ensure that every patient who relies on Atlantic Canada’s largest and most specialized cancer treatment hospital has access to world-class care, right here at home.  

With every dollar you donate to my Ride, you’re helping every step of the cancer journey from diagnosis to recovery and survivorship – ultimately saving and changing lives of Nova Scotians.  

Please donate to my Ride today!  

To learn more about the impact your generous donation will have here at home, visit https://YourRideforCancer.ca/Impact.