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Thirty-six cyclists arrived in Halifax after a 12-day journey across Canada as part of the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. The Sears Ride across Canada is the world's longest charitable cycling event in support of childhood cancer, raising awareness and funds for hospitals like the IWK Health Centre that treat kids with cancer. Cyclists left Vancouver on June 13, 2009, reaching their Halifax destination after covering 7,000 km in a modified relay-style ride.

Last year, with the generous support of Canadians from coast to coast, the inaugural Sears National Kids Cancer Ride raised $1.1 million to fund both national and provincial pediatric hematology and oncology research programs.

The funds raised in the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride last year represented the largest single donation received by the Canadian Council of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Directors, a group of hospitals known as the C17, the national childhood cancer organization representing all 17 pediatric hematology/oncology programs across the country. Of the $1.1 million raised, $770,000 was given to C17 to fund national pediatric hematology and oncology research. The balance of $330,000 was distributed to pediatric oncology centres across Canada, including the IWK, to support initiatives in childhood cancer at the local level.

During the ride, Canadians were encouraged to join the national cyclists in shorter 'ride-alongs' as they passed through their local communities. Cyclists stopped at select Sears locations and pediatric oncology centres across the country where they joined local riders and met kids at various hospitals.