Mark Hiemstra

6years All Star
Mark Hiemstra
I am riding 1,200 km in memory of my mum, Christine Hiemstra. Please sponsor me and support my challenge to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.
I've Ridden 0.0 km ? My goal is 1,200 km
My Rankings
  • National: 36th
  • Province: 23rd in ON
  • My Team: 1st
I've raised $1,211 My goal is $5,000 Donate Now

I'm Riding For

Christine Hiemstra

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

18 May 2026

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

Here's my personal impact over 6 years to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.
  • 605 km Ridden
    $1,081 Raised
    2021
  • 728 km Ridden
    $1,540 Raised
    2022
  • 1,195 km Ridden
    $4,000 Raised
    2023
  • 1,536 km Ridden
    $6,548 Raised
    2024
  • 1,574 km Ridden
    $10,658 Raised
    2025
  • Ridden
    $1,211 Raised
    2026
6years
5,637 km
Ridden
$25,038
Raised

My Challenge

  • 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.

    2026 Kick off
    Posted 4 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 10 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 11 days ago
  • 89.0 km ride - Morning Ride - Saturday, May 2, 2026
    Logged this ride 47 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 84 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 101 days ago
  • 0.0 km ride - Afternoon Ride - Saturday, February 21, 2026
    Logged this ride 117 days ago - View on Strava
  • 0.0 km ride - Morning Ride - Monday, February 16, 2026
    Logged this ride 122 days ago - View on Strava
  • 0.0 km ride - Afternoon Ride - Sunday, February 15, 2026
    Logged this ride 123 days ago - View on Strava
  • 0.0 km ride - Afternoon Ride - Monday, February 9, 2026
    Logged this ride 129 days ago - View on Strava
Show More

My Sponsors

  • Bryant Harris
    “Way to go, Mark”
    $517.50
    Received this donation 10 days ago
    Mark Hiemstra
    Mark
    “Bryant. Thank you for your ongoing support. Together we are making a difference in kids and their families lives.”
  • Anonymous
    $207
    Received this donation 101 days ago
    Mark Hiemstra
    Mark
    “Thank you so much for the support. Together we are changing little lives.”
  • Tim RILEY
    “I have known Mark for many years and I am proud and blessed to call him my friend/Brother ❤️👊!! I was greatly saddened by the loss of his daughter Evelyn....and I attended her celebration of life and how much she was cherished and loved. Mark is a great father and a family oriented man❤️👊 !! I am glad he is taking his pain, grief and loss and is using it to give him a constructive passion and a way to make a difference; :by raising funds through The Great Cycle Challenge for children's cancer research and treatment, in Evelyns memory. I was encouraged to hear his son Jayden will be joining him this year. It affected their whole family and they are doing something very constructive to help them work through their grief and loss, and keep Evelyns memory alive and honoured within their family ❤️‍🩹✝️. Please consider supporting Mark and Jayden in this very personal Great Cycle Challenge, helping then heal their grief and loss and making a positive difference, helping others”
    $124.20
    Received this donation 11 days ago
    Mark Hiemstra
    Mark
    “Thank you brother for the kind words. Thank you for helping me kick cancer's butt.”
  • Luther Village Spring Market
    “Thank you to the following who donated at Luther Village Spring Market. Cheryl M, Scott P, Maad A, Regina V. also 10% of today sales from On The Mark Laser Engraving. Thank you everyone. Mark”
    $95
    Received this donation 54 days ago
    Mark Hiemstra
    Mark
    “Thank you everyone. Thank you On The Mark Laser Engraving.”
  • Don
    “Good luck! (We chatted with you in the park on Milverton today)”
    $72.45
    Received this donation 32 days ago
    Mark Hiemstra
    Mark
    “Don. Thank you so much for helping me KICK caners butt. Together we are changing lives.”
  • Jared Rahn
    $51.75
    Received this donation 84 days ago
    Mark Hiemstra
    Mark
    “Thanks for the amazing support Rahn family. Together we are kicking cancer's butt”
  • Juanita Ogilvie
    “Press on!! How exciting to have Jayden joining you:)”
    $51.75
    Received this donation 2 days ago
    Mark Hiemstra
    Mark
    “Juanita & Brian. Thank you so much for your continued support of our family over the years. Together we are going to kick cancer's butt.”
  • John Muldoon
    “Rooting for you Mark”
    $50
    Received this donation 5 days ago
  • Anonymous
    “Great job!”
    $41.40
    Received this donation 54 days ago
    Mark Hiemstra
    Mark
    “Thank you so much for helping me to kick Cancer's butt.”
Donate Now