The 11th edition of 300 KM pour la VIE, an event organized by the Fondation Cité de la Santé for the benefit of the Centre Intégré de Cancérologie de Laval (CICL), took place this past September.

At the time this article was written, $230,000 had been raised for the cause. The total funds raised from this event will allow for the purchase of state-of-the-art medical equipment, as well as the improvement of services offered to patients with cancer.

On September 8 and 9, 2018, 130 cyclists travelled back and forth between Laval and Trois-Rivières. Each cyclist raised more than $1,000. All touched by this disease in one way or another, they rode together in solidarity under the late summer sun.

"When our legs hurt or we feel tired on our bike, we think about what our patients must feel when they are diagnosed with cancer,” says Dr. Olivier Haeck, microbiologist and infectious disease specialist at Hôpital de la Cité-de-la-Santé and participant since 2008. “And we think, in the end, our little problems are not that bad.”

The Ducharme Family; 2018 Ambassadors
The story of the Ducharme family – just one of the 130 participant stories – is particularly moving. Daniel Ducharme, a man passionate about sports and travel, and a loving grandfather to six grandchildren, found out he was suffering from stage IV lung cancer with brain metastases in May 2017. Ducharme was told he only had a few weeks – possibly months – to live. The treatment needed was urgent and aggressive. And the shock of it all was unimaginable.

Daniel, who has participated in many athletic challenges in his life, raising funds for various causes, decided to put together a team that would pedal on his behalf at the 300 KM pour la VIE 2017 edition. There were 25 participants, including several members of his family. Daniel followed behind his team in a wheelchair, visibly weakened.

This past September, Daniel cycled with his team – 325 km to be exact. Though still undergoing chemotherapy, Daniel was incredibly fit to ride. Doctors can’t explain it. Nor can his family, but they are grateful for it every day. Cancer has taken a step back. It’s still there, but seems to be quietly hiding in the background.

After 20 treatments (chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy), almost weekly visits to the CICL, and countless visits with specialists and caregivers, Daniel feels grateful and wants to contribute even more.

Join us next year on September 7 and 8, 2019!

300kmpourlavie.com