Susan Hickman
A group of Telfer School students and graduates attracted media attention this summer when they cycled across Canada raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Dubbing themselves the Typically Canadian Group, Telfer students Kyle Braatz and Alex Gray, Telfer alumnus Steve Coleman, and University of Western Ontario graduate Andrew Hopkins, rode their bikes from Port Renfrew, British Columbia to St. John’s, Newfoundland between May 2 and July 30, highlighting and paying tribute to the courage of “typical Canadians” who are battling the disease of cancer.
The inspiration for the tour came from Braatz, whose grandfather battled cancer for 18 months before his death in the summer of 2005, and from the other riders who were also touched by the disease in one way or another.
The Typically Canadian group set out on their journey with the aim of inspiring Canadians to get involved within the cancer community, while accepting donations for the cancer society and supporting Canadian firefighters.
“Cycling across Canada, honouring inspiring Canadians who battle cancer and those who go above and beyond in the fight against cancer was truly an amazing, humbling experience,” says Braatz.
With 72 stops on their 8,200 km route, the Typically Canadian group raised more than $100,000 in support of Canadian Cancer Society initiatives. The members are looking to keep the tribute alive with another tour next year. For updates on future projects, visit
www.typicallycanadian.com.
