www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 22, 2012 · 4 Fundraising ride to help children live longer By Brice Roy SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Tragedy and heartbreak can sometimes inspire a change for the better. Nikki Ide lost her five-year-old daughter Gabrielle to congenital heart disease on Nov. 9, 2010. Instead of retreating into a world of grief and sorrow, Ide focused her energies into creating Gabrielle's Ride to help combat the disease that took her daughter all too soon and so other parents and children do not have to suffer the same fate. "I am so passionate about this because when Gabrielle was in the hospital we couldn't tell if she was dying. It was difficult for the team to collaborate because they didn't understand what was going on in her body. I know that this will make a difference for the children," said Ide. Gabrielle's Ride is a 100-km bike ride through Oakville and neighbouring communities designed to raise money for Cardiac Kids and the Paediatric Stroke Fund. In addition to raising money for care and research, the funds will also go towards the development of a Stroke Kids Camp and the world's first workshop on pediatric cardioembolic stroke. "The workshop would mean that for the first time in the world, pediatric cardiologists and neurologists will come together and talk about their relationship and how cardiac dis- Angel: Gabrielle Ide Cinanni died at age 5 with congenital heart disease. Gabrielle's Ride will take place this Sunday. ease and pediatric stroke need their combined efforts to protect the children," said Ide. "I know that it would have made a difference in Gabrielle's life." While there are many ways to raise money for a cause, cycling was chosen to commemorate as well as challenge. "It was something that Gabrielle was struggling to learn in her life. The summer before she died she did manage to pedal for the first time," said Ide. "The children face a lot of challenges every day, from moving their bodies and walking to necessary actions like breathing. It's really easy to take those things for granted until you watch your child struggle to live. I needed something that was going to challenge me in a way that kind of represented what these kids go through every day." The process of arranging the first Gabrielle's Ride has taken organizers more than a year to plan and arrange sponsors. Appleby College donated a boardroom for the organizers to use. Gears has also donated a bike for the highest fundraiser. Ide singled out the contributions of "key sponsor" Dan Cooper and thanked all of their other "wonderful sponsors." The message Ide and her supporters wish to pass on to all involved is simple -- love. "I hope that everybody comes and feels loved and experiences love in some capacity. Gabrielle was so loving and so joyful and that's what I remember most about her every day," said Ide. "I hope everyone learns a bit about our cause while they are there. Regardless of whatever trouble we face, whether it be congenital heart disease, pediatric stroke or autism, love really makes a difference." The inaugural Gabrielle's Ride will be taking place on July 22. To register or donate to the event, visit www.gabriellesride.com/register. htm. Thank you for making M ay our best month e Help us do th ver! e same in June Purchase a vehicle from Oakville Volkswagen and we will make a Donation to the Oakville Hospital Foundation! Save $0.20 per litre on gas for 6 months.** Oakville Volkswagen 1355 North Service Rd. W. | Tel: 1-888-948-5548 | www.oakvillevw.com *Limited time finance purchase offer available through Volkswagen Finance, on approved credit. 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