Roadways along Central and Northern Missouri became the latest route for an international effort to raise funds in the fight against cancer.

About 25 cyclists from Canada made their way through Missouri on Wednesday, making brief stops in Jefferson City and Marshall on the Wellspring Ride for Cancer Support. D’Arcy McDonald, who chairs the charity’s board, is one of the riders and expressed his appreciation for the hospitality along the nine-state trek that began last Saturday in Toronto.

While Wellspring supports those fighting cancer in Ontario and Alberta, McDonald says their virtual resources are available for anyone.

The Wellspring Ride for Cancer Support is crossing through Missouri for the first time. McDonald says the route has changed annually since Wellspring’s first ride 13 years ago. He reflects on contributing to a legacy of cancer fundraising first launched in the 1980s by Canadian athlete Terry Fox, who would lose a leg and later his life to cancer.

McDonald says participants are planning for a grand finish Saturday afternoon in Boulder, Colorado.

This year’s ride has raised over CA$447,000 (US$330,000).  Click here to visit the Wellspring Cancer Support website.