TODAY is Kick Cancer’s Butt Day and ALL online donations will be MATCHED (up to $1.3M)!
John Pfeffer
- National: 9th
- Province: 6th in ON
- My Team: 1st
I'm Riding For
Josee and Marc
Most unfortunately, I now add my wife Josée to this tribute. She passed away in December after the unimaginable hardship of facing two primary cancers — triple‑negative breast cancer and a gastrointestinal cancer. She met every challenge with courage, humour, and love, and I now ride in her honour. I also continue to ride for my best friend, Marc Rouleau, who succumbed to cancer on April 5, 2020. I could never do justice here to the kind of man he was — an exceptional father, military leader, husband, and friend. His memory stays with me on every ride. Neither Josée nor Marc faced childhood cancer, but I believe that every advance in the fight against childhood cancers strengthens the broader fight against cancer as a whole. That’s why I ride — for the kids, for the families, and for the people we’ve loved and lost.
My Story
This August, I’m cycling 2,000 km in the SickKids Great Cycle Challenge to fight childhood cancer — the #1 disease killing Canadian kids. Children should be living life, not fighting for it.
I ride to support SickKids Foundation as they deliver life‑saving care, develop new treatments, and push toward cures that every child deserves.
This year, the ride carries a weight I never expected.
In December, I lost my wife, Josée — my love, my partner, and the person who cheered the loudest for every challenge I took on. She faced her own cancer with courage, humour, and a fierce will to live. Even in the hardest moments, she wanted me to keep riding, keep fundraising, and keep believing in a future where fewer families face what we did.
So I’m riding — for the kids, for the families fighting right now, and for Josée.
This will be my 16th straight year taking on this challenge, and once again I’ll be joined by my son, Nathan. Together, we’re taking on what will be our biggest ride as a team: Toronto to Quebec City — four days of cycling, one rest day, and a route I’ve completed before but Nathan has never done end‑to‑end. It’s a huge challenge, and one we’re ready to take on together.
Every kilometre we ride honours the kids who can’t, the families who never give up, and the memory of the woman who inspired me to keep going.
If you’re able, please consider donating to support these brave kids and their families. Your generosity fuels research, treatment, and hope.
Thank you.
My Legacy
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2,007 km Ridden$5,936 Raised2017
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2,001 km Ridden$6,381 Raised2018
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1,827 km Ridden$4,563 Raised2019
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2,004 km Ridden$5,036 Raised2020
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1,802 km Ridden$5,439 Raised2021
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1,803 km Ridden$4,542 Raised2022
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1,809 km Ridden$6,710 Raised2023
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1,809 km Ridden$7,228 Raised2024
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1,023 km Ridden$11,960 Raised2025
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650 km Ridden$9,791 Raised2026
My Challenge
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10.0 km ride - 9.97km Road Cycling - Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Logged this ride 5 hours ago -
147.6 km ride - 147.57km Road Cycling - Sunday, August 9, 2026
Logged this ride 3 days ago -
155.0 km ride - 155.04km Road Cycling - Saturday, August 8, 2026
Logged this ride 4 days ago -
12.7 km ride - 12.65km Road Cycling - Friday, August 7, 2026
Logged this ride 5 days ago -
10.3 km ride - 10.31km Road Cycling - Friday, August 7, 2026
Logged this ride 5 days ago -
8.6 km ride - 8.60km Road Cycling - Thursday, August 6, 2026
Logged this ride 6 days ago -
10.2 km ride - 10.24km Road Cycling - Thursday, August 6, 2026
Logged this ride 6 days ago -
12.0 km ride - 12.00km Road Cycling - Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Logged this ride 7 days ago -
10.1 km ride - 10.07km Road Cycling - Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Logged this ride 7 days ago -
202.4 km ride - 202.39km Road Cycling - Monday, August 3, 2026
Logged this ride 9 days ago
My Sponsors
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June Quah
“You are an inspiration John! 16 years and now with Nathan.”
$1,000Received this donation 8 days ago -
Tim Luo
“Wishing you and Nathan a safe and meaningful trip this year as you ride in honour of Josée and Marc.”
$517.50Received this donation 3 days ago -
André Piché
“Bravo John et Nathan pour votre engagement envers cette cause qui me tient aussi beaucoup à cœur, encore plus cette année. We'll send you good vibes throughout the riding journey!”
$500Received this donation 37 days ago -
Caroline Rendall
“We’re all with you, John! Have a safe ride.”
$500Received this donation 5 hours ago -
Rahim Hirji
$500Received this donation 37 days ago -
Jason Liu
“Wishing you all the best in this year’s ride—especially after seeing you yesterday and being reminded of how much this tradition means to you. Hope the miles feel steady this year, and that being out there brings a sense of connection and peace along the way.”
$300Received this donation 57 days ago -
Mb simple
“❤️❤️❤️”
$279.45Received this donation 13 days ago -
Anonymous
“Have a fun and safe bike ride!!”
$258.75Received this donation 36 days ago -
Joel Schwartz
“A great person riding for a great cause!”
$258.75Received this donation 38 days ago -
Pushkarini Bissessur
“Your biking adventures are always so inspiring. Best of luck on your rides!”
$258.75Received this donation 32 days ago -
Thomas Hinton
$258.75Received this donation 21 days ago -
Kathryn Hyland
$250Received this donation 38 days ago -
Nick De Palma
$250Received this donation 27 days ago -
Ryan Marentette
$250Received this donation 3 hours ago -
Stephanie Greer
$250Received this donation 35 days ago -
Joan Lessey-Weir
“John, my dear dear friend. As you always do RIDE for others and this year ride WITH JOSEE! JLW”
$207Received this donation 38 days ago -
Joe Soga
$207Received this donation 24 days ago -
Lilian Chau
“Go John Go! May sunny skies and favourable winds be with you each ride!”
$207Received this donation 7 days ago -
Steve Dobronyi
“Good luck, John. We're thinking of Josee.”
$200Received this donation 37 days ago -
David Kroach
$180Received this donation 34 days ago
