Mark Hiemstra
- National: 48th
- Province: 31st in ON
- My Team: 1st
I'm Riding For
Christine Hiemstra
Christine, my mom, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2015. Sadly she lost her battle on June 17, 2024. This year I will be not only cycling for all the kids and their parents, but also for Mom.
My Story
This August, I’m participating in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids’ cancer.
Why? This cause is deeply personal to me.
More than 1,400 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in Canada, and it remains the leading cause of disease-related death among children—something no family should have to face. While we lost our baby girl Evelyn to a different cause, I understand the fear and heartbreak of losing a child. My mom also passed away from melanoma on June 17, 2024.
This year, I ride in honour of these children, their families, Evelyn, and my mom. Kids should be living their lives—not fighting for them.
This is my sixth year in the challenge. Throughout August, I’ll be riding the Guelph-to-Goderich (G2G) Rail Trail. I invite you to join me! I’ll ride every Saturday and during the final week, completing 132 km rides, with a final 260 km end-to-end ride to finish.
I’m raising funds for SickKids Foundation to support better treatments and a cure.
Please consider donating. As a thank you, anyone who rides with me will receive a handmade wooden medallion.
We’ll also have prize draws in June–September, plus extra prizes on Kick Cancer’s Butt Day. A $25 donation earns one ballot. Prizes include a charcuterie board, 3D-printed games, a family pass to Clovermead Adventure Farm, and more.
Donors of $100+ are invited to an All-You-Can-Eat Rib & Chicken BBQ on September 19th.
Thank you for your support—your generosity makes a real difference.
Mark
My Legacy
-
605 km Ridden$1,081 Raised2021
-
728 km Ridden$1,540 Raised2022
-
1,195 km Ridden$4,000 Raised2023
-
1,536 km Ridden$6,548 Raised2024
-
1,574 km Ridden$10,658 Raised2025
-
Ridden$1,287 Raised2026
My Challenge
-
KW Comic Con
18 Jun 2026This weekend, I'll be at KW Comic Con with White Owl Wands at Booth A-33, and I'd love to see some familiar faces!
To help support this amazing cause, we're offering a special promotion during the event.
⭐ Make a $25 donation to my Great Cycle Challenge fundraising page and you'll receive:
- An entry into a draw to win one of our handcrafted Core Wands
- A FREE keychain of your choice.
Thank you support in life-saving research and support programs for children and families affected by cancer.
Whether you're attending KW Comic Con to enjoy the amazing vendors, cosplay, comics, and attractions, or you're simply stopping by to say hello, your support means the world to me.
📍 KW Comic Con – Booth A-33
🪄 White Owl Wands ( https://www.whiteowlwands.ca)
🚴 Supporting Great Cycle Challenge Canada
Thank you to everyone who continues to support both White Owl Wands and my Great Cycle Challenge journey. Together, we're helping make a difference for kids fighting cancer.
Hope to see you at the show! 💛🚴♂️🪄
Posted 8 days ago -
2026 Kick off
14 Jun 2026🚴♂️ Welcome to the 2026 Great Cycle Challenge season! 🚴♂️
Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years. Together, we've raised more than $24,000 and ridden thousands of kilometres to help fight kids' cancer. Every donation, share, and word of encouragement has helped make a difference for children and families facing this difficult battle.
This year is especially meaningful because my son, Jayden, will be cycling alongside me. Together, we'll be riding to support SickKids Foundation and help fund life-saving research and treatments for children with cancer.
To thank our supporters, we'll be holding a prize draw every month from June through September. For every $25 donated, you'll receive one entry into that month's draw.
🎁 June Prize: A handcrafted mini porch sign donated by On The Mark Laser Engraving.
We'll also have additional prize draws on Kick Cancer's Butt Day, so stay tuned for more details throughout the summer.
This ride is in memory of my daughter Evelyn, in honour of my mother Christine, and for every child and family affected by cancer.
We invite you to follow our journey, cheer us on, join us for a ride, and, if you're able, support this important cause.
Posted 12 days ago -
$1,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $1,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved WARRIOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 18 days ago -
$500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved GUARDIAN LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 19 days ago -
89.0 km ride - Morning Ride - Saturday, May 2, 2026
Logged this ride 55 days ago - View on Strava -
$250 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $250 to fight kids' cancer and achieved PROTECTOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 92 days ago -
$100 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $100 to fight kids' cancer and achieved DEFENDER LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 109 days ago -
0.0 km ride - Afternoon Ride - Saturday, February 21, 2026
Logged this ride 125 days ago - View on Strava -
0.0 km ride - Morning Ride - Monday, February 16, 2026
Logged this ride 130 days ago - View on Strava -
0.0 km ride - Afternoon Ride - Sunday, February 15, 2026
Logged this ride 131 days ago - View on Strava
My Sponsors
-
Bryant Harris
$517.50Received this donation 18 days ago
Mark
-
Anonymous
$207Received this donation 109 days ago
Mark
-
Tim RILEY
$124.20Received this donation 19 days ago
Mark
-
Luther Village Spring Market
$95Received this donation 62 days ago
Mark
-
Don
$72.45Received this donation 40 days ago
Mark
-
White Owl Wands @ KW Comic Con
$60Received this donation 4 days ago
Mark
-
Jared Rahn
$51.75Received this donation 92 days ago
Mark
-
Juanita Ogilvie
$51.75Received this donation 10 days ago
Mark
-
John Muldoon
$50Received this donation 13 days ago -
Anonymous
$41.40Received this donation 62 days ago
Mark
-
Peter Maroosis
$15.53Received this donation 13 hours ago