The ride began on Friday, September 9, at 8 a.m., at Essity’s Drummondville, Quebec, factory located at the corner of Farrell and Haggerty streets. Five days later, on Tuesday, September 13, additional riders will join for the final 100 kilometers, with riders crossing the finish line at Essity’s offices in Oakville, Ontario.

“Essity Rides is a fundraising initiative led by an enthusiastic group of Essity employees who are combining our passion for cycling with supporting breast cancer research,” says Essity Rides captain Brian Armstrong, Director of Sales, Essity North America (Canada). “We feel very lucky to work for a company who not only advocates health and well-being globally, but encourages wellness and healthy lifestyles for its employees, too. We are proud to ride with the Essity name on our jersey and help more people understand who we are as a company and how our products support the well-being of people around the world each day.”

Each participant has committed to raising $2000, with Essity promising to match up to $15,000.

Essity is a global market leader in a number of therapeutic areas, including products designed for breast cancer survivors in need of compression solutions for breast swelling, also known as edema. This event will raise funds for breast cancer research while brining awareness to Essity’s global vision of life-changing innovation for improved health.

Michael Feenan, VP Sales & Marketing, Essity Health and Medical Solutions - North America, adds “As a leader in breaking barriers to well-being for all, we at Essity hope Essity Rides will encourage and inspire our employees across the globe. We want to see employee-led initiatives like this one taking place year-round, combining healthy lifestyles with raising awareness for important causes.”

Essity Rides cyclists will cover about 160 kilometers per day and will travel through the regions of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston, Belleville, Trenton, Cobourg, Whitby, and Toronto.

Essity employs nearly 300 office, sales, and manufacturing employees in Canada, including over 200 at its locations in Drummondville, Quebec and Oakville, Ontario. The company produces Tork professional hygiene and TENA incontinence products at its manufacturing facilities.