The Growling Beaver is an annual fundraiser for Parkinson Canada, an important and ever-expanding resource for Canadians living with Parkinson’s and their care partners.
Founded by cyclists for cyclists, The Growling Beaver invites participants to ride for wellness while fueling research and raising awareness for Parkinson Canada.
The Growling Beaver was founded in 2015 by Dede Barry, Michael Barry, Garnet Pratt, Evan Siddall, Jody Wilson, and Laura Wilson, cyclists and members of the Parkinson Canada family from Collingwood, Ontario.
Inspired by Davis and Connie Carpenter Phinney’s “Live Well Today” philosophy, the Growling Beaver is a social (non-race) ride to celebrate cycling and the impact we can make on the Parkinson's community, with cyclists riding 40, 60, 100 or 200 km routes through the scenic Beaver Valley at what should be the height of the fall colours. The day features the Beaver Valley and Georgian Bay communities and merchants that have supported cyclists through the summer season.
New this year, we have merged the Growling Beaver and the Pedaling for Parkinson's GTA Ride. This joint venture will enhance the rider experience, help to grow the Parkinson's ride community, and amplify the impact we have on Canadians living with Parkinson's.
We will be introducing two road routes and will continue to offer our traditional tarmac and gravel routes.
In 2023, the two rides raised over $600,000 for Parkinson Canada.
Learn about this unique ride and the benefits to the Parkinson’s community by watching this video.
There is a $500 fundraising minimum for all riders. Registration fees will increase from $100 to $150 on August 1, so save your spot today! Become a participant and help transform the lives of people touched by Parkinson’s by inviting your friends and family to support your journey. You can ride as an individual, join an existing team, or start one of your own.
More than 100,000 Canadians live with Parkinson's, a number expected to increase substantially in the coming years, with 30 Canadians diagnosed each day. At Parkinson Canada, people with Parkinson's are at the centre of everything we do. Parkinson Canada funds critical research, provides information and support, increases awareness and advocates for improved healthcare outcomes for people with Parkinson's across Canada. With the support of our sponsors, partners and the Parkinson's community, we continue to invest in research dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for all people affected by Parkinson's.
Parkinson Canada supports Canadians throughout all stages of their Parkinson journey. Every year, Parkinson Canada's programs and services reach nearly 10,000 Canadians living with Parkinson's and their care partners. They connect with our team to receive free and confidential non-medical information and support, and connection to our programs and service opportunities. We currently offer more than 120 support groups led by volunteer facilitators in communities across the country.
At Parkinson Canada, we bring together researchers to cultivate and support the most leading-edge science. Canada is home to some of the world's leading Parkinson's researchers. Since 1981, we have funded innovative research including discovery-stage science, fellowships for Movement Disorder Specialists, and training the next generation of Parkinson's research leaders. We are proud to have invested in the next generation of researchers and clinicians, many who have continued in the field determined to further our understanding of the disease as well as the care management of people living with Parkinson's.
Parkinson Canada believes that living well with Parkinson's is still possible. We are committed to raising the voice of people affected by Parkinson's and their care partners to advance solutions toward improved care, supports, and quality of life so all Canadians affected by Parkinson's can thrive. We do this by engaging directly with federal, provincial, and territorial governments to raise awareness of the impact Parkinson's disease has on the lives of Canadians as well as through engagement and collaboration with community partners and like-minded organizations. Our community initiatives raise awareness for much-needed programs and services for the Parkinson community.
