When most Flin Flonners hit the snooze button, Heather Chrupalo hits the bike.
This month, Chrupalo is participating in Great Cycle Challenge Canada, a nationwide fundraising campaign to fight children’s cancers. She has set a goal of cycling 150 km over the month of June.
For now, Chrupalo’s rides are on a stationary bike in her home, but she aims to be back out on the road by the end of the month.
For Chrupalo, building back the muscle strength to get on the road again is a secondary purpose for the challenge: she is returning to cycling, a former passion, after recovering from a major vehicle accident.
“I decided it was time to start again,” she said.
“The first few rides are always hard on your butt, but then it gets easier. I’m already up to eight and a half km per day in 45 minutes.”
While some might balk at a daily 45-minute bike ride, the task seems to come naturally to Chrupalo.
“I’ve always had drive. If I find something I like, I’m usually capable of persevering,” she said.
Staying fit and active has always been important to Chrupalo – and remains central to her career as a first aid and water safety instructor.
This bike challenge is also not her first major cycling feat. In 2012, Chrupalo and her late husband Mike biked from Vancouver to St.John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador over three months.
While Chrupalo gets back into the saddle, the fundraising portion of the challenge is also running smoothly: Chrupalo has far surpassed her initial goal of raising $500.
As of Thursday morning, $1,145 had been donated via Chrupalo’s fundraising page.
“People are welcome to add to that if they choose,” Chrupalo said. “It’s definitely a benefit to the kids.”
Funds raised through Great Cycle Challenge Canada go to SickKids Foundation, a Toronto-based organization that invests in research in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of childhood cancers and blood-related disorders.
Chrupalo said the cause is one she is proud to support.
“Cancer in kids is not something they can control,” said Chrupalo.
“It is what it is for them, and they have to fight the battle.”
Those interested in supporting Chrupalo’s initiative can visit her fundraising page at Greatcyclechallenge.ca.
