MONTREAL, July 15, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - IRIS The Visual Group, largest Canadian network of eye care professionals, gets set to conquer cancer with the IRIS CHALLENGE. Dr. Francis Jean, President of IRIS and his brother Remi Jean founded the IRIS CHALLENGE - bike ride to raise awareness and money for cancer research - in 2011. Dr. Francis Jean and his team officially kicked off the ride in Vancouver on July 9th. They will pedal toward Jasper AB and then back to Langley B.C. where the 2000 km cycling challenge ends on August 6th, 2013.
When his brother Remi was diagnosed with Lymph-node cancer in 2007, Dr. Jean was driven to find ways to support the fight against the disease. Remi's passion for cycling, their mutual love of the outdoors and their motivation to find ways to spend more time together, inspired the brothers to create the cycling challenge.
The first IRIS CHALLENGE took place in the summer of 2011 over the course of two months where 6000 km were achieved and $137,000 raised.
This year's ride will run for a month and though Remi isn't well enough to join the IRIS team for the ride, Dr. Jean, his son Jonathan Jean, along with Dr. David Schwirtz, Eric Babin - Vice President, I.T. and Communications and other IRIS teammates, are determined to raise $50,000.
The IRIS CHALLENGE is Dr. Jean's third ride this summer. Optometrists, Dr. Jean and Dr. Schwirtz along with 50 members of the CTV bike team joined The Endbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer on June 15th and 16th where they rode for 315 km from Vancouver, BC to Seattle, WA. He recently completed the 900 km five-day Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, for which IRIS was a bronze sponsor.
"Life doesn't stop with cancer, it is just a new challenge forcing us to appreciate life for it's true value." says Dr. Francis Jean, President of IRIS The Visual Group.
The IRIS CHALLENGE is open to anyone wishing to join the ride from July 19th to July 22nd in support of this cause. Different circuits are available to accommodate all levels ranging from beginner to expert. Click here to learn more on how to join the ride in the Rockies.
About IRIS The Visual Group
IRIS The Visual Group was founded in 1986 in Baie-Comeau, Quebec by Dr. Francis Jean. IRIS The Visual Group is Canada's largest premium eye care provider with over 165 locations and 2 refractive surgery centers. Thanks to a distinctive concept and commitment to highest quality products and services, IRIS has managed to differentiate itself in the eye care industry. The IRIS network includes over 500 opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists integrating their professional services for the purpose of helping Canadians experience better vision.
Image with caption: "IRIS The Visual Group cycles to conquer cancer (CNW Group/ IRIS)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130715_C7302_PHOTO_EN_29005.jpg
SOURCE: IRIS The Visual Group
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