The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) has raised more than J$1.5 million for the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) through its Ride for Life campaign, an endurance cycling initiative aimed at funding cancer treatment and raising awareness across Jamaica. The funds will be formally presented at an event later this month.
The campaign was inspired by Tim Ralph, whose wife Tomeka was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and passed away three years later. Since her death, Ralph has turned his passion for athletics into a platform for philanthropy, organizing long-distance runs and cycling events in her memory.
A collaboration between AFJ, TR Sports and Adventure, and the Jamaica Cancer Society, the Ride for Life initiative consists of three major endurance rides. Two—Discover Jamaica By Bike and the MACC One Love Century held in Atlanta—have already been completed. The final leg, a three-day trek from Kingston to Negril, is scheduled for October 18–20, 2025, over Jamaica’s Hero’s Weekend.
“The AFJ is proud to partner with TR Sports and Adventure and the Jamaica Cancer Society on Ride for Life, honoring Tomeka’s legacy while supporting vital cancer treatment in Jamaica,” said Caron Chung, Executive Director of the American Friends of Jamaica. “We are grateful to all our donors, especially Sandals and the Jamaica Tourist Board, whose generosity has made this achievement possible.”
Roshane Reid-Koomson, Executive Director of the Jamaica Cancer Society, said the funds will go directly toward expanding cancer screening and outreach programs across the island.
“These funds will make a tangible difference in providing vital cancer screenings,” Reid-Koomson said. “An initiative like Ride for Life not only raises much-needed resources but also increases awareness of the impact of cancer in our communities. We are especially inspired by Mr. Tim Ralph, whose unwavering dedication and personal experience with loss have been the driving force behind this campaign.”
AFJ and its partners have credited the campaign’s success to broad donor support, with special acknowledgment to Sandals Resorts and the Jamaica Tourist Board for their significant contributions.
For nearly 43 years, AFJ has supported programs in education, healthcare, and economic development in Jamaica. The organization’s partnership with Ride for Life continues that legacy — one that blends athletic endurance with compassion and community impact.
 through its Ride for Life campaign.){kind=link}