Meet the Cycle for Sight 2012

Volunteer Planning Committee!

Martin de Sousa
Martin is a successful graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design's Environmental Design Program: "My studies at OCAD provided me with the opportunity to obtain a greater understanding of the design process by exploring my artistic and technical design abilities."

In 2005, the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario recognized Martin for his thesis project on Sustainability. His ability to transform abstract ideas into reality earns him many contracts and projects throughout Ontario. Martin also presents seminars about computer drafting techniques, interior design career choices, and universal design.

Currently, Martin is an in-house designer at a prestigious Toronto design firm, Binns Kitchen and Bath, as well as designer extraordinaire for Cycle for Sight!

Erin George
Erin is a graduate of the Ryerson School of Journalism and York University's Critical Disability Studies graduate program. A Toronto activist who has campaigned on education, peace, global justice, and accessibility issues, Erin advocated for City Councillor Janet Davis' constituents for seven years at City Hall during the Miller administration.

Erin believes cycling makes us citizens of our city. When retinitis pigmentosa forced her off the road, she marched into a bike shop, bought a tandem bike, and proudly announced to her spouse, Andrew: "guess what we just bought each other for x-mas? A tandem!"

Erin is now the Communications Manager for the Foundation Fighting Blindness and remains involved in Cycle for Sight.

Hugh Munro
Hugh Munro is Principal of H. Munro & Associates, a retained Executive Networking and Search practice located in Toronto. Hugh joined the Board of Directors of The Foundation Fighting Blindness in 2009 and is the Board's representative on the Cycle for Sight Committee.

Hugh and his wife are avid cyclists, having done bicycle tours of Ireland, Italy and France. They can often be found riding Toronto's trail system.

He has been involved in corporate fundraising campaigns for organizations including Kids Help Phone, The Special Olympics World Winter Games, The Arthritis Society of Ontario and others, and is assisting the Cycle for Sight Committee with its Sponsorship strategy and goals.

Michael Ovens
Fourteen years ago, facing a prognosis of progressive vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa, Michael quietly abandoned the sport of cycling. In 2008, after speaking with Erin George about her new tandem bike, he was inspired to get back on the road. With his friend Chris as pilot, Michael joined the Friends for Life Bike Rally, riding 630 km from Toronto to Montreal on his tandem bike in six days!

The experience compelled Michael to search for a cycling event to raise funds for vision research. When he learned that Dave Sweeny had already been cycling the Foundation Fighting Blindness' Ride for Sight route, the idea for Cycle for Sight was born.

Michael is a graduate of York University's Faculty of Environmental Studies. He is a Business Direct Manager for BMO and is legally blind. When Michael isn't cycling or fundraising, he runs with Achilles Canada, a running club for athletes with disabilities. He also heads up Team Run for Sight and has completed nine marathons.

Deborah Tennant
A n number of years ago, Deborah was approached by a friend to help out with Comic Vision - Canada's premier comedy fundraiser which is also held on behalf of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. From there her commitment to fundraising for retinal eye diseases became increasingly personal as a member of her family was afflicted and is now legally blind as a result. Deborah joined the Board of Directors of The Foundation Fighting Blindness in 2011 and, from there, expanded her fundraising involvement to Cycle for Sight. Deborah is responsible for co-ordinating the activities at the terminus of the Toronto-Collingwood event and is busy planning a lovely post-ride reception for riders in Collingwood. Deborah is a University of Waterloo Co-operative Environmental Studies grad and has an MBA from York University.

Dave Sweeny
The creation of Cycle for Sight is a defining moment for Dave Sweeny. Dave's PedalPower team inspired Cycle for Sight. In 2007 Dave, his wife Donna and their neighbours formed PedalPower to bicycle in Ride for Sight, the FFB's motorcycle fundraising event. After two incredibly successful years with Ride for Sight it was time to start Cycle for Sight. "I knew I had reached the fund raising limits of my team and needed to get more people involved."

Dave is extremely proud of the hard work of the organizing committee, the volunteers and of course the riders in last years Cycle for Sight. "Our sponsors and volunteers helped us deliver a fantastic event" Dave's goal is to raise as much money for eye research as possible. "The fundraising success of our Cycle for Sight riders should provide an annuity for the Foundation in years to come". This year, Dave hopes to fund the cure; once and for all. "It's so close I can almost see it," says Dave.

When he's not cycling, Dave works for RBC Capital Markets. He thanks his wife Donna and his friends who have made this journey possible and says his two daughters, Christine and Michelle, are his inspiration.

Meet the Cycle for Sight 2012

Volunteer Planning Committee!

National Presenting Sponsor

National Corporate Sponsors

Community Supporters