UAE Cycling Team Raises Millions for Cancer Research on Epic European Journey
Cyclists raise $650,000 for cancer care through grueling European expedition
CANCER RESEARCH GETS MAJOR BOOST AS UAE CYCLISTS COMPLETE EPIC 3,333KM EUROPEAN JOURNEY
Cancer patients and families across the UAE stand to benefit from Dh2.4 million ($650,000) raised by a 15-member cycling team that completed a gruelling 3,333-kilometre ride from Barcelona to Paris in July. The funds go directly to Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, which uses donations to finance medical research, education and treatment programmes. The haul surpassed the team’s initial target of Dh1.8 million, a result that reflects the depth of public commitment to improving cancer care across the emirates.
Al Jalila Foundation operates as a non-profit entity within Dubai’s health system, with a focus on expanding patient access to care and supporting families navigating serious medical conditions, particularly cancer. Every dirham raised through the Cycle Against Cancer challenge feeds into that mission, connecting the physical effort of riders on European roads to the everyday realities of patients and their loved ones at home.
The group finished the Barcelona-Paris route on July 25 after 25 days on the road. Riders climbed more than 54,000 metres of ascent while enduring extreme summer heat across Spain and France. Many participants were cancer survivors themselves, or rode in memory of people affected by the disease. That personal dimension gave the effort its weight.
The team brought together an unlikely coalition: business leaders, members of the UAE cycling community and individuals with direct experience of cancer. Among them were Craig Lamshed, general manager of Brighton Colleges UAE, and Jimmy Wright, a parent at the school. Their participation alongside survivors and advocates reflected the initiative’s core message: cancer touches entire communities, not isolated individuals.
Guido De Wilde, founder of Cycle Against Cancer and himself a stage 4 colon cancer survivor, pointed to public generosity as the force behind exceeding the fundraising goal. “When we started planning this challenge, we knew the ride would test us physically, but what has stayed with me most is the generosity and belief of everyone who chose to support us,” he said. “Watching people rally behind this cause has been a powerful reminder that no one has to face cancer alone.”
De Wilde created Cycle Against Cancer to convert physical endurance into tangible support for people affected by the disease. The organization frames its work around three ideas: hope, resilience and community support. The Barcelona-Paris expedition put that framework into practice, with each kilometre pedalled translating into research funding and patient care.
Meanwhile, the momentum generated by the ride is not stopping at the July finish line. De Wilde made clear that the team intends to sustain its fundraising efforts for Al Jalila Foundation’s cancer programmes. “We have raised our fundraising target because this movement is bigger than one ride, and we want to keep that momentum going for as long as possible for Al Jalila Foundation’s critical cancer care programmes,” he said.
To mark the achievement and keep the community engaged, Cycle Against Cancer will host a gala event in September. The gathering will bring together riders, corporate partners and individual supporters to recognize the collective effort behind the initiative. It also serves as a platform to reinforce the message that cancer patients and families need not face their circumstances alone.
The Dh2.4 million raised is more than a financial outcome. It is evidence of what organized public effort can deliver for health causes when it draws on genuine community networks and shared values. The question now is how far that momentum carries into the next challenge.
Q&A
How much money did the cycling team raise and where does it go?
The team raised Dh2.4 million ($650,000), which goes directly to Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, to finance medical research, education and treatment programmes for cancer patients.
What was the physical challenge completed by the cyclists?
A 15-member team completed a 3,333-kilometre ride from Barcelona to Paris in 25 days during July, climbing more than 54,000 metres of ascent while enduring extreme summer heat across Spain and France.
Who participated in the cycling challenge and why?
The team included cancer survivors, family members affected by the disease, business leaders such as Craig Lamshed and Jimmy Wright from Brighton Colleges UAE, and members of the UAE cycling community. Many rode in memory of people affected by cancer or as survivors themselves.
What are the plans to sustain this fundraising effort?
Cycle Against Cancer intends to maintain fundraising momentum beyond the July finish line, with a September gala event planned to bring together riders, corporate partners and supporters to recognize the collective effort and reinforce community support for cancer patients and families.