Bike-A-Thon
Bellerose has become widely known for its annual 48 hour Bike-A-Thon to raise money for cancer research. Students cycle in teams of 8-10 for 48 hours non-stop to raise cancer awareness. Originally, the Bike-A-Thon was a 60 hour event, but was shortened to the 48 hour version because of occurrences of over-exertion among the students involved. In 2006, Bellerose was one of the largest non-corporation contributors to the Cross Cancer Institute raising approximately $57,000 for cancer research or about $47.50 per student. During the Bike-A-thon, many "Bulldogs" shave their heads for cancer in an effort to raise even more money for the cause. In 2010, the students of Bellerose raised over $107,000.00 for cancer research, which made the Canadian Cancer Society re-write their record books to make them to second largest check ever to be given to the Society by a school. The 2011 edition of the Bellerose Bike-A-Thon was an even greater success. Over 600 students, nearly two-thirds of the school population, participated and raised in excess of $135,000. This is equivalent to approximately $225 being raised by each individual that participated in the Bike-A-Thon. The majority of the funds in 2011 went to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, with the funds from the annual head shave going towards the Kids With Cancer Society. In 2012, Bellerose raised over $165,000 with 762 students participating. $2000 of this amount was raised in school by a head shave during the bike-a-thon.
To date, the total amount of money that Bellerose students have raised in the eight editions of the Bike-A-Thon is over $500,000. This is one of the most successful fundraisers by any high school in Canada.
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