Dressed in their trademark purple jerseys, a group of cyclists helping fund the battle against pancreatic cancer visited the research clinic that is benefitting from their fundraising efforts on Monday.

Funds raised by the 7 Days in May cycling are donated to the NCIC Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) at Queen’s University for its ongoing clinical trial PA.6, which is targeted at improving the survival odds for pancreatic cancer patients.

“The funds raised support the PA.6 trial that if successful will improve the cure rate for patients who undergo surgery for pancreas cancer,” says Janet Dancey, director of the NCIC CTG. “It is a very important trial being conducted by the academic research community. 7 Days in May raises funds that allow the trial to be conducted and also awareness for research, for the study and for patients with pancreas cancer.”

The ride, which also aims to raise awareness around pancreatic cancer, circles around Lake Ontario and the 20 participants have already raised nearly $44,000 toward their goal of $50,000.

The stop in Kingston marked the start of Day 3 in the week-long ride that will cover just over 1,100 km.

The 7 Days in May Foundation was founded by Gord Townley, who continues to ride, in memory of his mother Lorraine Townley, who became an advocate for others by participating in clinical trials before dying in November 2011.

NCIC CTG is an academic clinical trials cooperative oncology group that conducts phase I-III trials testing anti-cancer and supportive therapies across Canada and internationally. It is one of the national programs and networks of the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute CCSRI, and is supported by the Canadian Cancer Society. The NCIC CTG’s Central Operations and Statistics Office is located at Queen’s University.