OREANDA-NEWS. August 21, 2014. In just four years, the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer has raised close to USD 18 million for world-leading cancer research at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia.

Around 1124 riders are taking part in the 2014 ride which raised USD 3.8 million and started from The University of Queensland campus in Brisbane today.

They will travel over 100 kilometres through south east Queensland, then camp overnight at Wivenhoe Dam before riding another 100 kilometres back to Brisbane.

80 Rio Tinto employees, their family and friends are participating in this year's event as riders, crew, bike techs and volunteers.

Since the inaugural event in 2011, Team Rio Tinto has raised over USD 1 million for QIMR Berghofer.

Professor Frank Gannon, Director of QIMR Berghofer said "We are very grateful to the passionate community of riders, volunteers, crew members, donors and sponsors like Rio Tinto who helped make the fourth annual Rio Tinto Ride To Conquer Cancer a success.

"One in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The close to USD 18 million raised by the ride continues to power dozens of ground-breaking research programs investigating the causes of more than 13 cancers including skin, brain, colorectal, breast, ovarian, blood and lymphoma right here in Queensland ," he said.

In 2011 Rio Tinto became the title sponsor of the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Since then Rio Tinto employees, their family and friends have raised more than USD 1 million for The Ride in Queensland. Funds donated by Rio Tinto enable more dollars raised by Ride participants to directly support cancer research and clinical trials across the state.

"Rio Tinto is very proud to support the Ride and the talented scientists at QIMR Berghofer who are at the forefront of global cancer research," Rio Tinto co-captain Martyn Robotham said.

"This weekend we are all riding for someone. Our hope is that the money we have raised will mean we never have to hear about the cancer diagnosis of another family member or friend.

"Rio Tinto salutes and congratulates everyone riding or involved with this weekend, and we look forward to hearing about the new cancer research projects at QIMR Berghofer that this money will support," he said.