Each year Fire Velo Cycling Club primarily made up of active and retired Firefighters undertakes a ride over 500-miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles known as the “Cancer Awareness Bicycle Ride” This event provides cancer awareness and wellness recognition and support to both fire service personnel and the public as the riders travel to various locations on their way to the Santa Monica Pier where the ride concluded.
Along the route riders stop in remembrance and tribute to those active and retired firefighters who have passed away from cancer.
Monies raised from this ride are utilized by such groups as the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation, Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), Firefighter Cancer Foundation just to mention a few. To date well over $300,000 has been donated to various groups dealing with cancer prevention and awareness in the fire service.
There are few people who have not been touched by the effects of cancer in some way. Coping, understanding, and simply dealing with the day to day efforts of battling cancer are often overwhelming, not only for the patient but also for their loved ones. And while many people think the word Firefighter is synonymous with courage or bravery, when it comes to cancer we can be just as lost and devastated as everyone else.
We sincerely want to thank all those who support and encourage us from monetary donations, products, services, food, to cheering us along the ride!