Update

After Gary Jones arrived in Halifax from his cross county bike tour in support of thyroid cancer awareness and research, he was invited to cycle Newfoundland. Gary has since returned with more stories and more funds raised. In total, he has raised an outstanding $33,121, half of which will go to  the Interdisciplinary Thyroid Oncology Clinic at the QEII. 

Gary Jones

This January, Gary Jones retired after 38 years as a truck driver with Rusty Steels, trading in his 18 wheeler for a two wheel bike and the chance to m

ake a difference in the lives of thyroid cancer patients.

As a thyroid cancer survivour, Gary, 65,  wanted to raise funds and awareness for the country's fastest growing cancer, so he decided to take his love of cycling and bike the country from coast to coast. His goal was to raise $20,000 for thyroid cancer research  at the QEII and the Canadian Cancer Society.

On May 15, he dipped his bike into the harbour of VIctoria, B.C. and set off on a 45 day odyssey to his home province of Nova Scotia. Although he biked alone, his friends and family were able to follow him online through his blog, http://garybiking.blogspot.com/.

On June 30, having battled snow in the Rockies, torrential downpour in Quebec, and cycling an average of 100  miles a day, Gary rolled into Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, tanned, smiling, and offered these words of wisdom, "It's about attitude and strength. Cancer is 70 per cent mind and 30 per cent body."

After dipping his bike into the chilly Atlantic in front of a crowd of 100 supporters, Gary presented both the QEII Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society with a $13,000 cheque, far surpassing his original goal. Photo: Gary Jones waves to his supporters, as his fellow truck drivers honk their horns.