Jason Hinchliff: 200 km of change

Jason Hinchliff, Chief Information Officer & Vice-President of Information Technology at Cenovus Energy, is joining the fight for a cancer-free future. 

This summer, Jason participated in the Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer, the biggest cycling fundraiser in the province. Pushing himself to his athletic limits, Jason took on the two-day challenge to contribute to the life-changing cancer research and care supported by the Alberta Cancer Foundation. He raised $13,441 for the cause with over $5,000 coming from matching grants through Cenovus Cares, our Employee Giving & Volunteering Program.

“When I heard about the event, I was originally intimidated by the thought of cycling more than 200 km over two days,” says Jason. “However, after losing my father-in-law to a rapid form of kidney cancer a few years ago and having my own scare with skin cancer very recently, I decided to sign up.”

To prepare, Jason trained for five months, steadily increasing his bike rides from 17 km to 120 km at a time, with some weeks totaling 250 km, while doing hot yoga and strength training to balance out his regimen. A few weeks before the event, he cycled Peter Lougheed Provincial Park’s Highwood Pass, the highest paved pass in Canada, from gate to gate and back. To add to the challenge of climbing such steep heights, he passed a grizzly bear grazing on dandelions that day – thankfully he has bear awareness training, had bear spray and was traveling at a high speed.
A selfie of a man riding a bike along an empty highway. He is wearing a helmet and reflective sunglasses. He is smiling.
Jason cycling on the first day of the event.
While the physical training kept Jason busy, the personal stories shared by friends, family and colleagues during fundraising kept him focused. The impact that cancer has had on their lives has been wide ranging and, like Jason, their encounters continue to be a powerful influence today. 

“I was blown away by my conversations as it became all too clear cancer is a battle so many of us face,” says Jason. “The emotional and financial support I received from my colleagues and the Cenovus Cares Program made a real difference – and Cenovus’s one-to-one donation match enabled me to be one of the top 20 fundraisers in my first year. I was so moved by the entire experience that I’ll be doing the ride again next year and hope others will join me.”
A man standing with a bike above his head.
Jason on the last day.

LAST UPDATED: DECEMBER 2023

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