FAQs

General

A:

The 2023 Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF is Canada’s premier stationary bike cycling event. The Ride brings together participants from across corporate Canada to challenge themselves, build camaraderie as a team, partake in some friendly competition and work towards the goal of ending type 1 diabetes (T1D). This fall let’s move work aside and move for a cure!

A:

Not at all! Whether you are participating at the in-person Ride or Riding Your Way, the Ride welcomes participants of all fitness levels. Set a pace that you are comfortable with to prevent health risks and injury.

A: We encourage teams to include a total of five team members but if you are participating in a Ride Your Way event, the number of members on your team can be unlimited.
A: There is no minimum age to participate but we recommend those 18 and under get parental permission before registering.
A: If you have any questions, reach out to our Ride Support Team at 1.877.505.5373 or via email at ride@jdrf.ca.  

In-Person Rides: Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary

A: If you are participating in-person in Montreal, Toronto, or Calgary the event is scheduled to last about one hour.
A:

In-person Riders can expect to participate in an approximately one-hour, fun, and high energy event, where over the course of five heats within the hour, each team of five members will ride a stationary bike for eight minutes while their colleagues cheer them on. Heats are led by a “motivator” who will coach, encourage, and inspire Riders to complete the heat at a pace that feels most comfortable to them.

A: If you are participating in-person in Montreal, Toronto, or Calgary JDRF will supply a stationary spin bike for you and your team. No other special gear is required – just bring your enthusiasm and desire to make a difference.
A: That’s great! CLICK HERE to sign up, learn more about volunteer opportunities and be connected to a member of our Volunteer & Community Engagement Team.
A: With many payment options available, and to keep costs low, JDRF has decided to not accept cash or cheques at the in-person Rides in Montreal, Toronto, or Calgary to direct more funds to research.

JDRF has several secure methods to receive donations in conjunction with the Ride. You can: 
  • Donate with a credit card or PayPal by clicking HERE
  • Once logged in, enter any cash or cheques donations in the Offline Funds section of your Participant Centre 
  • Via e-transfer or EFT by contacting our Ride Support Team at 1.877.505.5373 or via email at ride@jdrf.ca.
  • You can contact our Ride Support Team via phone at 1.877.505.5373 to make a payment with your credit card. 
  • Visit the Offline Funds section below for more details how JDRF can assist you in processing cash and cheque pledges.  
A:

JDRF has several secure methods to receive donations at the Ride. You can:  

  • Donate with a credit card or PayPal by clicking HERE

  • Once logged in, enter any cash or cheques donations in the Offline Funds section of your Participant Centre.  
  • Via e-transfer or EFT by contacting your Ride Support Team at 1.877.505.5373  or via email at ride@jdrf.ca.

  • You can contact our Ride Support Team via phone at 1.877.505.5373 to make a payment with your credit card.  

  • Or, visit our Offline Funds section below for more details how JDRF can assist you in processing cash and cheque pledges.   

A: Thank you for wanting to support JDRF and advance research into a cure for T1D. Our JDRF Paper Bikes are a simple and easy fundraising program that you can organize at your company. All you need is some enthusiastic staff members to sell these bikes for $2, $5, or even $10 donations and allow people to show their support by signing “their bike” and posting in your workplace.  This is a great way for your company to publicly display your support for JDRF and the T1D community. To learn more about JDRF Paper Bikes, CLICK HERE
A:

The health and safety of our Riders, volunteers and staff is our top priority. For our in-person Ride events our goal is to create a safe, inclusive environment for everyone. We will adhere to local and regional health guidelines in place at the time of the Ride as applicable.

Ride Your Way

A: That’s terrific. You can contact our Ride Support Team at 1.877.505.5373 or via email at ride@jdrf.ca and we can help you get started.
A: Unfortunately, we can’t provide stationary bikes outside of the cities where we are hosting in-person events. However, we encourage those interested in holding their own Ride in support of JDRF to reach out to local spin studios and fitness centres that may be willing to donate an hour or two for a good cause.
A: The KM Challenge is a fun way for your company or team to support the Ride by moving work aside to a move for a cure in your own way. If cycling isn’t your activity of choice, we’ll help you convert your time spent exercising (aerobics, basketball, rowing, CrossFit and anything else you can think of) into kilometres. Simply pick a kilometre goal as a team, pick up a timeframe to complete the Challenge, and make sure that you have a method to track your activities. Completing activities other than walking, running or cycling, use our handy activity conversion chart to track your Challenge success!
A: Thank you for wanting to support JDRF and advance research into a cure for T1D. Our JDRF Paper Bikes are a simple and easy fundraising program that you can organize at your company. All you need is some enthusiastic staff members to sell these bikes for $2, $5, or even $10 donations and allow people to show their support by signing “their bike” and posting in your workplace.  This is a great way for your company to publicly display your support for JDRF and the T1D community. To learn more about JDRF Paper Bikes, CLICK HERE
A: The iRide is our international Ride option organized by our JDRF international affiliate in the USA. They host five different on-road destination cycling events throughout the summer and fall. While you Ride in the USA, your fundraising is directed to JDRF Canada. Please note, we can’t guarantee availability and spots do fill up quickly. To learn more, CLICK HERE

Registration

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Click on the registration link in the top right of this screen and follow the prompts to register yourself and your team! If you have any questions, reach out to our Ride Support Team at1.877.505.5373 or via email at ride@jdrf.ca.

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There is no registration fee; however, the Ride is a key fundraising event for JDRF that helps drive our mission to accelerate the pace of T1D research. We encourage all participants to raise a minimum suggested amount of $200 per individual or $1000 per team of five.

A:

No, you do not have to register your entire team; we encourage all members of your team to register online with their own email to ensure that they receive details about this year’s Ride.

If you choose to register your team members, they will receive an email guiding them through the login process to take control of their account.  

Should you need help with registering team members, please connect with our Ride Support Team at ride@jdrf.ca or via phone at 1.877.505.5373.  

A: Click the register button on the top right of your screen, search for the team you wish to join using the search box. Select your team name, click "Join this Team", then follow the instructions to register!
A:

As a team captain, once you have registered and created your team, select Login at the top right of your screen and follow these steps:

  • Click on “Email” on the navigation on the left of your screen 

  • Select the “Join My Team” message template 

  • Enter the email addresses of Team Members and an email will automatically be generated inviting them to register. Team Members can click on the link provided within the email and follow the steps to register. 

A:

This year we are hosting In-Person Rides in Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary. If you live outside those cities, you can register to Ride Your Way and participate anytime, anywhere and in any way that you like this fall. To learn more about these options, CLICK HERE

Fundraising

A: The Ride is a key fundraising event for JDRF that helps drive our mission to accelerate the pace of T1D research. We encourage all participants to raise a minimum suggested amount of $200 per individual or $1000 per team of five.
A:

Great question! Click here to visit our Resource Page for resources like our Fundraising Toolkit, Fundraising Ideas, and more!

A: We’re confident that every participant can reach the suggested $200 fundraising minimum and are pleased to offer support and advice so you can exceed this target! 
A:

While we encourage each participant to fundraise a minimum suggested amount of $200, we recognize that some teams will choose to fundraise as a team. The minimum suggested team of five fundraising amount is $1000. 

Please note, however, that fundraising rewards are awarded based on donations raised by individual participants only (not team fundraising or corporate matched revenue).

A:

We encourage participants to submit their pledges before the date of their participation via our online fundraising system or through the offline funds process. Donations are accepted up until December 15, 2023, however, to qualify for fundraising rewards, all donations must be received by November 9, 2023.

Should you have any questions, please contact a member of our Ride Support Team at 1.877.505.5373 or via email at ride@jdrf.ca

A: Our Accelerators’ Club celebrates those individuals who have gone the extra mile for the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community by raising over $1000 to “accelerate” JDRF’s mission to find a cure for T1D. To learn more, visit the Accelerators’ Club page HERE.

Fundraising Rewards

A: Participants who raise $250 or more are eligible to receive fundraising rewards. You can learn more about our Fundraising Rewards program HERE. To be eligible for fundraising rewards, all fundraising dollars must be submitted to JDRF by November 9, 2023.
A:

Fundraising rewards for the Ride are awarded based on individual fundraising. For example, if a participant raises $250 and they are part of a team that raises an additional $600 in team fundraising activities, the participant is only entitled to receive fundraising rewards for the $250 raised as an individual.

A: JDRF pays for all fundraising rewards. To help JDRF direct more funds to research, participants can donate their prize back to JDRF. JDRF negotiates discounts on purchased prizes nationally.
A:

Fundraising rewards for the Ride are entirely paperless! Following the Ride, you will receive an email with instructions on how to select and redeem your e-gift card. To learn more, visit our Fundraising Rewards page

Please note, fundraising rewards are issued to the email that you registered for the Ride.

A:

We aim to issue our fundraising rewards to those who have raised a minimum of $250 by mid-December 2023. Please note, fundraising rewards are issued to the email that you registered for the Ride. If you have questions about your fundraising reward, please contact a member of our Ride Support Team at 1.877.505.5373 or via email at ride@jdrf.ca

A:

Thank you for your outstanding fundraising! Individuals are awarded a maximum of $500 in e-gift cards.

Offline Funds

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JDRF has several secure methods to receive donations for the Ride. You can:  

  • Donate with a credit card or PayPal by clicking HERE.    

  • Once logged in, enter any cash or cheques donations in the Offline Funds section of your Participant Centre.
  • Via e-transfer or EFT by contacting your Ride Support Team at 1.877.505.5373​ or via email at ride@jdrf.ca.  

  • Or, you can contact our Ride Support Team via phone at 1.877.505.5373 to make a payment with your credit card.   

If you need any assistance, please reach out to a member of our Ride Support Team at  ride@jdrf.ca or via phone at 1.877.505.5373 and we’d be happy to help.    

A: Please reach out to a member of our Ride Support Team at ride@jdrf.ca or via phone at 1.877.505.5373 and we’d be happy to help.  
A:

That's great! Log into your Participant Centre and enter the Offline Funds including complete donor information then either: 

  • Submit payment for these donations with your credit card. 

  • Mail a cheque and completed pledge form to us. JDRF’s mailing address is JDRF National Support Office, 235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 1201, Toronto, ON M2J 4Y8. 

Once the offline pledge payment has been processed, your donors will be emailed a link to their tax receipt. 

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That’s easy! Simply complete the  pledge form and mail JDRF Canada any cheques on your pledge form to JDRF National Support Office, 235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 1201, Toronto, ON M2J 4Y8.

A:

That's great! Log into your Participant Centre and enter the donations to the Offline Funds section. 

  • Submit payment for these donations with your credit card. 

  • Mail a cheque and completed pledge form to us. JDRF’s mailing address is JDRF National Support Office, 235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 1201, Toronto, ON M2J 4Y8. 

Once the offline pledge payment has been processed, your donors will be emailed a link to their tax receipt. 

A:

We’d be happy to help! Simply complete the pledge form and email it to finance@jdrf.ca or mail it to JDRF Canada at JDRF National Support Office, 235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 1201, Toronto, ON M2J 4Y8. 

On the Pledge Form, you can indicate that the funds will be coming separately to JDRF.  

JDRF’s Finance Team will process your donation when it arrives.  

A:

Awesome! Log into your Participant Centre and enter the Offline Funds including complete donor information and submit payment for these donations with your credit card. If the address and email for your donors have been supplied, they will be emailed their tax receipt upon receipt of payment.

A: So sorry to hear that! Please reach out to a member of our Ride Support Team at ride@jdrf.ca or via phone at 1.877.505.5373 and we’d be happy to help.  
A: Cheques can be made payable to JDRF Canada. Thank you for your support!
A: You can download a Pledge Form HERE.
A: JDRF National Support Office, 235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 1201, Toronto, ON M2J 4Y8
A: To download the pledge form, you will need to have Adobe on your computer. You can download adobe for free HERE but should you need additional assistance, please reach out to our Ride Support Team at ride@jdrf.ca or call 1.877.505.5373.

Donations & Tax Receipts

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To see who sponsored you, log in to your Participant Centre and click on “Donations” on the left-hand side menu. You will see a summary of the amount raised, your goal, the number of donations received and will be able to track which donors you’ve sent a personal thank you to. Use our Thank You email templates within the Participant Centre or create your own using our blank template.

A: Absolutely, you can donate to the event here or contact our Ride Support Team at ride@jdrf.ca or 1.877.505.5373.
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A PDF version of the pledge form and instructions on our offline donation process are available to download on our Fundraising Resources page. Should you have further questions, reach out to our Ride Support Team at ride@jdrf.ca or 1.877.505.5373 .

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Online tax receipts will be issued immediately for all amounts to the email address provided during the online donation process.  

Offline tax receipts will be issued within six to ten weeks after the event for cash, cheque, e-transfer, or credit card processed of $20 or more. For questions, contact our Ride Support Team at ride@jdrf.ca or via phone at 1.877.505.5373

A:

Yes. Participants that qualify for an e-gift card will have the option to donate their e-gift card back to JDRF and direct more funds for research. 

To donate your e-gift card back, follow the prompts in the Fundraising Rewards email that will take you to an option to donate back your rewards. You will be emailed your tax receipt immediately once you have fully processed the request with our on-line system. 

Note: tax receipts will be issued in the name of the participant who qualified for the fundraising rewards and are non-transferable.

A:

For additional tax receipts, requests for reprints and/or corrections, please contact general@jdrf.ca.

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Electronic tax receipts are sent in PDF format. If you currently do not have Adobe Reader on your computer, you will not be able to open the attachment. You can download Adobe Reader for free by clicking here. If you are still unable to open a tax receipt, please contact our Ride Support Team at ride@jdrf.ca or by phone at 1.877.505.5373.

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Search the name of the team or person you wish to sponsor. Click on the ‘donate’ button beside the name of the team or person you are sponsoring and follow the prompts. Be sure to enter the name of your company in the ‘organization name’ field and tick the little box directly above, which states ‘I am making a corporate donation’. Ticking this box will ensure the tax receipt is issued in the name of your company.