For some, a multi-level cycling fundraiser is a serious test of fitness and endurance. For Tyler Yip, it’s a chance to build community, create awareness, pack a colourful array of rubber ducks on a tiny foldable bicycle and go for a ride.
“It helps if you make it fun — and it gets people’s attention. Most people want to get involved in a fundraiser if you make it interesting and give them something to connect with,” he said.
Tyler is gearing up for his third year joining the Cancervive ride, an annual event where every dollar raised supports Albertans facing cancer through Wellspring Alberta. Riding alongside his coworkers and some alumni from Arcurve, Tyler’s motivation stems from a deep desire to empathize with people going through cancer, and help raise awareness of the support Wellspring offers.
“Part of the reason I get really excited is that I think there are a lot of people who don’t know about Wellspring, and I get to be part of letting people know that if they have family members or co-workers or they themselves are impacted by cancer, they have this incredible resource and it’s free and without referral,” he said.
Although Tyler hasn’t been personally impacted by cancer, the mission resonates with him, and connects to the cause by reflecting on how everyday tasks in life would be even more challenging with serious illness and treatment to contend with.
“These are just people trying to live their lives, and they still have to deal with problems outside of the medical and healthcare side of things,” Tyler shares. “Like for me, I use the example of filing taxes. I recently filed my taxes for the first time, and I found it a confusing process. I couldn’t even imagine what that would be like if you were dealing with cancer and treatment, and had all sorts of other concerns.”
Tyler’s desire to give back to community and help ease the burden for others is what fuels his creative spin on fundraising. After tackling the 110 km Cancervive ride on a regular road bike in 2024, he signed up for the 2025 ride adding a video series, and making a promise to donors that if he reached his $1,000 goal, he would complete the 50 km route on the tiny foldable bike he bought for commuting in the city. He delivered on that promise, using the unique ride as a conversation starter and to spread the word about Wellspring’s free, no-referral resources.
This year, Tyler is upping the ante in his creative pursuit. He’s bringing along a whole flock of rubber ducks.
“My girlfriend Monika did some research and learned that people are more likely to donate to a fundraiser if you offer something to them that they can personally connect with and root for. That’s how we came up with the idea of rubber ducks,” he said.
For every donation over $20, supporters can choose to adopt a small, colorful rubber duck and give it a nickname. Tyler features the ducks in video updates during his training rides, and he will carry the entire flock with him on event day, each tagged with its name and the donor’s name.
“The ducks give me something to point to,” he said. “I might be here doing the ride, but look at all the people who are supporting Wellspring.”
For Tyler, cycling in the mountains, having fun, and making a meaningful contribution to an organization that helps others, makes his day.
“It’s just a great way to build community and rally people around a shared goal,” he said.
Donate to Tyler’s Cancervive Ride here: https://give.wellspring.ca/fundraisers/TylerYip
See Tyler’s videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw70DB02xFsudV8zqhkP61hG-SXPMpH6S
Join the Ride: Cancervive.ca