IT ALL STARTED
WITH A BIKE RIDE.
MISSION.
Inspire people to live happy and healthy lives through generosity, fitness, and achievement of the extraordinary.
VISION.
A world where every individual lives and gives to their fullest potential and unnecessary illness and suffering no longer exist.
THE STORY.
In 2007, GIVETOLIVE founders Ashley Ward and Todd McDonald crossed paths with an inspirational young man preparing to embark on a 7,000 kms cycle across Canada.
Tony Griffin, a renowned Irish athlete studying at Dalhousie University in Halifax, had lost his father to cancer only months prior and was cycling to raise funds for others suffering from this illness. The Irishman had no bike, hadn’t been on a bike since he was 12, and had no real idea how big Canada was. What he did have was a 1-way ticket to Vancouver and complete faith that success was his only option. McDonald and Ward were so inspired by his “belief in all that could go right” that they volunteered to help him with logistics and fundraising. Six months later, Tony had cycled 7,000 kms from Vancouver to Halifax and the adventure had raised over $500,000 to donate to charities fighting the war on cancer.
THEY WERE SO MOVED BY THE JOY AND PLEASURE THEY GOT FROM HELPING OTHERS THAT THEY KNEW THIS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE HAD TO BECOME A WAY OF LIFE.
The following year, Ashley, Todd, and two friends decided to cycle from Halifax to Texas to raise additional funds for cancer-related charities. After telling a few friends of their plans, their little group of four quickly grew to 60 people. Four months later, 60 cyclists arrived safely in Austin, Texas and another $276,000 was donated to worthy causes. Ashley and Todd continually heard from people on the ride that the experience had affected them so much that they vowed to change their lives for the better – to become healthier, to give more, and to believe that they too could achieve extraordinary things. A foundation was formed and an association founded.
SINCE 2008 WE'VE RAISED MORE THAN $4.2 MILLION FOR A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT CAUSES.
In the years since that epic ride to Texas, GIVETOLIVE has become rooted in the belief that everyone can be happier and healthier through generosity, fitness, and the achievement of the extraordinary. Our family, friends, and the community have generously helped GIVETOLIVE projects raise over $4.2 million for numerous charities around the world that are combating unnecessary disease and suffering. We don’t plan to slow down.
“Having participated in 4 The BIG SWIM events, I have had the privilege of meeting a new community of like-minded people who want to achieve a personal goal, and at the same time raise awareness and funds for a worthy cause."
Randy Currie - Participant
WHO BENEFITS.
YOUTH AT RISK IN ANNAPOLIS COUNTY
Annapolis County has the second-highest child poverty rate in Nova Scotia at 33.7%*. That means that more than 1 in 3 children in Annapolis County live in poverty.
BEATRICE HUNTER CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The BIG RIDE fundraising helps to support the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute (BHCRI) and the Cancer Research Training Program. Together, we are creating the health research problem-solvers of tomorrow, with visions of finding faster diagnoses, better treatments, and ultimately, cures for the complex disease that is cancer.
BRIGADOON VILLAGE
The Brigadoon Children’s Camp Society and it’s dedicated staff and volunteers are committed to bettering the lives of children, youth and families living with a chronic illness, chronic condition or special need in Atlantic Canada.
AN AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
THE EMME AWARD.
The Emme Award is given to someone who completes all GIVETOLIVE events in one calendar year.
The first time it was awarded was in 2019 to a very special lady, and you guessed it, her name is Emme. In 2019, she took on The BIG CHILL’s 5km snowshoe course, The BIG RIDE’s 500kms 5-day cycle around the Gaspé Peninsula, and the 18kms swim across the Northumberland Strait as part of The BIG SWIM.
Along with training and participating in each event, she fundraised almost $10,000 for our charities that year!
MAKE THIS YOUR YEAR!
THE BOARD.
The GIVETOLIVE Board is comprised of a variety of past event participants, friends, and founders. The main role of the Board, other than its financial and legal responsibilities, is to ensure that each event that is run by GIVETOLIVE helps to accomplish the aims and objectives of GIVETOLIVE community.