Cycle to Help

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Cycle to Help: for suicide awareness

CYCLE TO HELP

9000 in 90

The Cycle To Help campaign has been launched! Ben Verboom is cycling across Canada, from Newfoundland to British Columbia, to raise awareness about the issues of suicide and depression. The 9000 kilometre transcontinental ride will take approximately 90 days to complete.

Mandate

The Cycle To Help initiative will endeavour to tackle the following goals:

-         To raise awareness of the issues of suicide and depression in Canada;

-         To educate the Canadian public about depression, in order to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease;

-         To help improve access to resources for those who are depressed and suffering, contributing to the prevention of suicide and the development of strategies to help combat depression.

A Personal Journey

Ben is launching Cycle To Help largely due to his personal experiences with depression and suicide. In high school, Ben lost his father to suicide, a tragedy with which his family is still coping today. Cycle To Help strives to ensure that fewer individuals and families have to suffer the devastation and loss that accompany the tragedy of suicide.

Give generously and help make the Cycle to Help campaign as successful and influential as possible!

ABOUT BEN

Growing up in Ajax, Ontario, Ben Verboom was introduced to cycling as soon as he could walk. Ben’s inspiration, in cycling and in life, came from his father, Tim Verboom. A bike enthusiast, Tim pedalled all over Canada on various trips, through the Rocky Mountains of B.C. and around the Great Lakes of Southern Ontario. Ben and his father spent countless afternoons cycling the waterfront trails along Lake Ontario and exploring Ontario’s mountain bike trails. Tim was an activist, too. In response to the September 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S., Tim cycled to Ground Zero in New York City, supporting the Red Cross relief efforts. He set an example of selflessness and courage for Ben to emulate as he grew up.

In January of 2004, tragedy struck the lives of Ben and his family. Ben’s father, Tim Verboom, committed suicide. Though he had been suffering from depression for some time, no one anticipated such a terribly overwhelming event. Ben’s life was forever changed. Though devastated, the unwavering strength and support of Ben’s mother, Maureen, and an outpouring of community support allowed the Verboom family to make it through the tragic loss.

Now, Ben wants to help other families avoid the tragedy that he and his family went through. Ben is cycling across Canada to raise awareness about the issues of depression and suicide. Depression is a disease that can be treated, and Ben Verboom wants to assist those who are currently suffering in getting the help that is available to them.

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