Evelyn: The Little Girl Who Inspires Every Mile

Every August, I ride in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer. People often ask me what keeps me going through the early mornings, long rides, sore legs, and countless kilometres.

The answer is simple: Evelyn.

Evelyn is my daughter. She was born on May 3, 2019, just three days before her due date. Tragically, instead of coming home with us, she went straight into the arms of Jesus. In a single moment, our family's world changed forever.

There are no words that truly capture the pain of losing a child. While the years have helped us learn how to carry that grief, they have never taken it away. Evelyn will always be part of our family. She is loved every day, remembered in every milestone, and missed more than words can express. Although our hearts ache for the life we never got to share with her, we find peace in knowing she is safe.

When I first joined the Great Cycle Challenge, I did it because no family should have to hear the words, "Your child has cancer." While our family's loss was different, I know what it is like to have your hopes and dreams for your child change in an instant. That experience has given me a deep compassion for families who spend every day praying, hoping, and fighting for more time with their children.

Every kilometre I ride is for kids who are battling cancer. Every dollar raised helps fund life-saving research that gives children a better chance to grow up, chase their dreams, and create memories with the people who love them.

But every ride is also for Evelyn.

When the rides get tough, I think about her. I think about the life she never had the opportunity to live, and it reminds me why these kilometres matter. She inspires me to keep pedalling when I want to stop, to climb one more hill, and to do everything I can to help give other children the chance to experience birthdays, graduations, family vacations, and all the little moments we so often take for granted.

This year, my son Jayden is riding alongside me. Watching him honour his little sister while helping children he has never met fills me with pride. It reminds me that love doesn't end when someone is gone. Evelyn continues to shape our family, inspiring us to love more deeply, serve more faithfully, and make a difference wherever we can.

If you've supported me by donating, sharing my page, cheering me on, or praying for our family, thank you. Your generosity is doing so much more than supporting a bike ride. You are helping fund research that gives children hope, gives families more precious time together, and brings us one step closer to a world where no child has to endure cancer.

Evelyn may never ride beside me, but I carry her with me every time I clip into my pedals. She is there in every sunrise start, every steep climb, every kilometre, and every finish line.

I ride because every child deserves the chance to grow up.

I ride because every family deserves hope.

And I ride in loving memory of my daughter, Evelyn, whose life, though far too short, continues to inspire every mile I pedal.

🎉 It's time for our June Great Cycle Challenge Prize Draw! 🎉

First, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated during June. Every donation helps support the fight against childhood cancer, and every name in this raffle represents someone who chose to make a difference. We truly couldn't do this without you. 💛🚴

Now for the moment we've all been waiting for...

🥁 The winner of the Mini Porch Sign is... [Tim R]! 🎉

And now it's Jayden's turn...

🐉 The winner of Jayden's 3D Printed Dragon is... [Bryan H]! 🎉

Congratulations to both of our winners! We'll be in touch to arrange getting your prizes.

But we're just getting started...

🔥 July's Giveaway! 🔥

This month we're giving away FOUR custom laser-engraved serving boards, generously donated by On The Mark Laser Engraving!

🏆 Two serving boards will be drawn from everyone who donates through Mark's Great Cycle Challenge page.

🏆 Two serving boards will be drawn from everyone who donates through Jayden's Great Cycle Challenge page.

Every $25 donated earns you one ballot, so the more you donate, the more chances you have to win—all while helping kids battling cancer.

To support our ride and be entered into the July draw:

🚴 Mark's Great Cycle Challenge:

https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/MarkHiemstra

🚴 Jayden's Great Cycle Challenge:

https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/JaydenHiemstra

Learn more about On The Mark Laser Engraving and our custom work at:

https://www.onthemarklaser.ca

Thank you for supporting our Great Cycle Challenge and helping give these incredible kids a fighting chance against childhood cancer. Together, let's make July our biggest month yet! 💛🚴

KW Comic Con

This 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! 💛🚴‍♂️🪄

2026 Kick off

🚴‍♂️ 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.