The first 7 Days In May ride

After the heartbreaking loss of his mother, Lorraine, to pancreatic cancer in 2011, 7 Days In May founder and ‘Chief Instigator’ Gord Townley was determined to honour her memory. The result was 7 Days In May – a week-long bike ride around Lake Ontario. The inaugural ride raised $16,909 to fund critical research.

7 Days In May partners with Pancreatic Cancer Canada

Gord Townley met with Michelle Capobianco and made the decision to collaborate with Pancreatic Cancer Canada, the country’s largest charitable organization focused on pancreatic cancer. From this point forward, 7 Days In May riders began supporting some of the most innovative clinical trials happening in Canada with PCC. Meanwhile, Gord and his family remained the nucleus around which like-minded cyclists came together to make a real difference against this disease.

A Year of Milestones: The first Virtual Ride and meeting our $1M fundraising goal

As the COVID-19 pandemic changed so much of our daily lives just two months before the scheduled ride, 7 Days In May made the decision to have its first “virtual ride.” What was borne out of necessity to keep our community safe also opened an important new door: for the first time ever, pancreatic cancer advocates and fundraisers from across the country were able to join the ride from the comfort and safety of their hometowns, increasing the strength of our community by leaps and bounds. 

By the end of the ride season 7 Days In May had even more to celebrate: the achievement of the $1 million lifetime fundraising goal. Reaching this goal was well beyond Gord Townley’s wildest dreams when he embarked on this venture and could not have been done without the dedication of the riders, their many generous donors, sponsors, and volunteers – everyone who had been a part of this community. 

7 Days In May returns to in-person rides

As the pandemic continued, 7 Days In May found ways to help riders safely come together once again. With a route that stayed within Ontario and safety measures in place at every point, riders rejoiced in the return of this beloved event and the community that they’d missed.

7 Days In May celebrates its 10th in-person ride and the last ride organized by the Townley Family

After 10 years of in-person rides, the Townley family decided to transition the management of 7 Days In May to Pancreatic Cancer Canada. Throughout this important year, Gord and his family were celebrated for their many achievements, the legacy that they have created, and their direct support for research.  

7 Days In May becomes 7 Days as the first ride organized by PCC

We were proud to build on the Townley family legacy along with 44 Spokes Inc. We welcomed over 40 in-person and virtual riders raising a whopping $180,000, bringing the lifetime grand total to over $1.6 million for pancreatic cancer research! 

7 Days continues to grow

Going down as possibly the rainiest week in 7 Days history, our in-person riders journeyed through Peterborough, Bancroft, Huntsville, and Barrie. The 2024 ride brought together 50 dedicated cyclists who collectively raised a remarkable $317,000 along with the support of sponsors, donors, and crew. This incredible achievement brought the lifetime grand fundraising total to over $1.9 million for groundbreaking pancreatic cancer research and support services. 

Will you join us?

Join us for the 2025 ride as we continue to cycle for survival and reach another milestone of surpassing the $2 million mark!