Hélène Fournier

Thank You

My blogs wouldn’t be complete without recognition for those who have made my 9-month journey possible.  While my previous blog focused on “why” I did this, I also want to emphasize the “how”…  It wasn’t a journey I tackled all by myself.  I had the support of loved ones - family and friends, as well as the encouragement of every sponsor and every person who provided a donation. Every word and gesture of encouragement gave me the motivation to continue training; to continue fundraising.  $25,000 was a lofty goal.  5 or more hours on a stationary trainer was almost enough to make me go bonkers.  Many of you thought it was amazing; many of you thought it was great; some of you thought I was crazy! … but you still encouraged me and helped me meet my goal.

While words of thanks on a blog cannot do full justice to my level of gratitude, I want to recognize:

- Don for your ongoing encouragement, love, kindness and dedication to the cause - helping to fundraise in your community and taking on the challenge of swimming across Lake Temiscamingue.  You are an inspiration to me.  I also need to thank Maggie for putting up with these endeavours and being so patient with you - and me!

- My entire family and Nico’s family for having endured my crazy schedule and constant need to train when I was visiting.  I wasn’t always able to pay attention to details and am sure I messed up sometimes.  

- Maman, Renée, Émilie, Vincent, Maxim for participating in the Inside Ride and showing your enthusiasm and team spirit

- Eva for participating in the Inside Ride and your poetic words of encouragement and phone calls while I was on the ride

- All of you who participated in the 24-hour spin and raised over $4,500 towards the cause

- Sarah and Seb who sacrificed time out of their incredibly busy schedule to organize a fundraiser at Fat Cat Wine Bar

- Lyne who committed a week of her time to help me make sense of chaos and who provided encouragement and support every step of the way

- Frank for being my fundraising and training partner, as well as a friend. You always made sure I had everything I needed; made sure all the “T”s were crossed and the “i”s were dotted when I couldn’t make sense of everything on my plate.  Thanks to Charlene and Stuart for their help at all fundraising events.

- Papa for being in my thoughts every day at every pedal stroke.

and most importantly

- Nico for partaking in many fundraising events, pulling me up the hills, committing every last bit of energy you had to help and see me succeed, always holding me up before I fall, giving me positive energy on gloomy days, and overall - giving yourself to this cause as much as I.  I couldn’t have done this without you and am forever grateful.

Day 15 - to be continued…

Well, I’m still searching for all the right words to express what I felt on the last day of this journey.  We touched 192 communities and raised over $1.5M for the fight against childhood cancer.  10,000 kids will benefit.  Josh “Legs” Nelson and so many other children we met along the way have inspired us to continue making a difference and to keep on fighting.  I finished day 15 with mixed emotions – I was ecstatic to see Josh, Rina and Drew waiting for us at the finish line.  It was perfect. I was exited to dip my front wheel in the Atlantic Ocean.  I was glad that we reached our fundraising goal and proud to have made a difference in children’s lives.  At the same time, I was sad to know that is was over; 15 days was too short. I also can’t help but think that there is still much to do to meet our destination: beyond cancer.

On this trip, I rode for and/or met:

• Mason Boult (Age 3) who has had to adjust to life with one eye and the challenges that go along with wearing a prosthetic.
• Megan Cross (Age 6) who has faught leukemia twice and has had a marrow transplant
• Jakob Drolet (Age 13) who had to wear a leg brace for two years due to his ALL.  He aspires to become an airplane pilot or a therapist who works with kids who have cancer.
• Adam Fedesoff (Age 16) who has beaten cancer twice, enduring things you likely can’t imagine and was riding like a pro on his Cervelo with us to Toronto.
• Isabella Lentini (Age 9 months) who has been on treatment for 8 months of her 9-month life, for Neuroblastoma.  Her mother, Nicole, reminded us that Isabella didn’t choose to be born with cancer but she was and yet despite the enormous hurdles she climbed at such a young age, she is still a happy, bubbly baby, inquisitive and always looking to the next fun thing.  She reminds us that life is about forward momentum – look to the excitement of the future not the trials of the past.
• Megan McNeil (Age 19) who is fighting Adrenalcortical Carcinoma for the fourth time, and states that her toughest challenge is not having control over her own life.
• Maria Métivier (Age 13) who passed away last year
• Jesse Morningstar (Age 5) who faught Brainstem Glioma who likes playing soccer, swimming, hockey, boxing and his Nintendo DS and Wii
•    Josh Nelson (Age 16) who is a 7 year cancer survivor and who joined the National Rider team this year!
• Véronique Pellerin (Age 23) who is also a 7 year cancer survivor and speaks about it as an opportunity to build awareness and sensitize others.
•  Crystal Rondeau (Age 21) who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and went through respiratory failure during cancer treatment which caused her to be ventilator dependent.  Her cancer protocol needed to be carefully mapped out due to her condition.  She is beautiful and continues to speak about the cause in her friend Marisa’s footsteps.
• Erica Scarff (Age 12) who was affected by bone cancer and who’s treatment included chemotherapy, modified amputation and more chemotherapy along with rehabilitation.  Erica began “Erica’s Wish” – a walk and running event to raise awareness and research for osteosarcoma.
• Madison Scott (Age 10) who’s immune system is left weak from her treatment but her condition has not affected her bubbly and cheerful personality, or more importantly, her determination.
• Marisa Solta (Age 17) who passed away on March 23, 2010 and was a key ambassador for the CTC.  She believed in the power of one and that one person can make a significant difference.  She accepted her cancer and raised awareness and funds for others.
• Finn Sullivan (Age 5) who passed away in 2008 and who’s twin brother Baird led the National Riders out of Langley BC.  Finn is said to “Finnspire” us to seize the day and to take on our most difficult challenges in the way he lived – by loving every minute we can and by running, jumping, bouncing, dancing, singing, loving, bouncing and riding.
• Kullan Delaney (Age 6) who has been off treatments for 7 months, and is able to talk to adults and understand more than a kid his age should.
• Madelaine Wingfield (Age 7) who is a very brave little girl and maintains a very positive outlook on life.
• Taylor Wheatley (Age 21) who has been off treatment for 13 years and continues to be an ambassador, and will be a National Rider someday!

There were others.  Unfortunately, too many; Fortunately – they were all inspiring and have made a difference in my life and that of others. 

I arrived at Point Pleasant Park knowing that it was the end of my journey.  I couldn’t wait to dip my wheel… until I saw Josh with his mom and dad, at the end of the path – what a surprise!!!  None of us knew that he would join us there, but had all hoped we could share this moment with him.  I completely forgot about the wheel dip at this moment; threw my bike on the ground; and rushed to give Josh a big hug.  So big, I think I may have hurt him.   Josh had a wish last year that he would ride along with us in 2010.  I had a wish on Day 6 that I could share the wheel dip moment with Josh.  Our wishes came true on this beautiful day. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

We then made our way to the waterfront to get our medals and dip our wheels.  What a feeling. It was surreal.

After many months of training, fundraising and awareness building, it is with mixed emotions that I write my last blog as a 2010 National Rider.  I look forward to reading others’ experiences next year and continuing to contribute in other ways.  For those of you who have been inspired by my journey and reading this blog: I would simply reiterate some of the words that have motivated me to keep riding when the riding got rough – One person can make a difference. Ride for me until I can ride with you. Whether you know it or not, what you are doing DOES make a difference.  It’s not all about the money you help to raise, it’s about inspiring the kids, making them see what’s possible, giving them hope, giving them a reason to fight.

(For photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=243134&id=682786437&l=6db3d1e355)

Day 14 - in the limelight

Again, a beautiful day.  I was expecting bad weather for a change… but mother nature switched her schedule around for us once again.  We rode from Truro to Antigonish, NS (150kms)…  to “free the Gonish”… as was the running joke. We are pro-Gonish riders; riding to free the Gonish today! ;)

This was a very special day.  We changed Team 2’s schedule entirely in order to stop by Antigonish instead of Charlettown, PEI… and visit St. Andrews Consolidated Elementary School (Suzanne Delaney’s school – National Rider on Team 2).  Suzanne is full of spunk.  It was great to see her shine in her own community. 

After 150 beautiful but challenging rolling hills and mesmerizing scenery, we rolled into the Elementary School, greeted by 300 elementary students, teachers and admin staff.  It was such a rewarding entrance.  They were so amazed by us, gave us high fives and couldn’t wait to have our autographs.  I’ve never signed my name so many times in one day!

Suzanne began a speech with her usual “Ola Babies!… did you miss me?” The kids went wild.  She spoke to everyone about the importance of the ride and of the school’s contribution to the cause.  It made us all realize how inspiring we were to these kids who looked up to us  - some who understood what cancer is; and others who simply saw us as super heroes coming to their school.  Coming into the school, we noticed that some of the older kids had

I went into two classrooms to talk to the kids.  In the first class, I was asked to sign agendas, t-shirts and shoes.  In the second classroom, I sat in front of a group of approximately 20 Grade 1 kids and answered all questions imaginable, including: Why do you wear special shoes?  Where do you sleep?  How good do you sleep?  How do you get up all those hills?  Why do the guys shave their legs (lol)?  Have you had good weather? Where are you from?  Then there were comments, including: I like your helmet; I really like your bikes; I have a bike too; I don’t want to ride my bike across Canada!  The most challenging question to answer, however, was: What is a tumour?  This question got us talking about many many things… including Josh’s experience; what cancer is; how it affects kids; how it affects families.  Naturally, these Grade 1 kids were curious about the disease but couldn’t quite comprehend the magnitude of the cause… They were intrigued nonetheless and I did my very best to share my knowledge and make a positive impact.  I wish I could have given them a piece of the experience I’ve had in the last 14 days.  Hopefully our little talk will inspire them to ask more questions and spread awareness.

I’m now in the RV, shuttling to Lower Sackville.  Tomorrow – we head for Halifax!  Our last day.  I can’t believe it.

Day 13 - Beautiful New Brunswick, Beautiful Team 2!

I can’t believe I’m writing this and there is only two days left to the ride.  I have met some incredible people these last two weeks and am so grateful for that.  We rode from Edmunston to Woodstock NB today.  It was a difficult 4000 ft climb, but it was sunny and the scenery was fabulous (again!).  It was such a great ride, I managed to get rid of my cold!  Rolling hills, gorgeous pastures, great country roads… definitely a place I want to come back to. 

We rode for two other child ambassadors today – Véronique and Maria.  Unfortunately, my Internet connection is poor and our dedication binder is not with me right now – so I will provide more detail at a later time on these inspiring girls. 

As I rode today, I couldn’t help but think about how fortunate we are to be National Riders, to have been part of such a wonderful team, to be fit and healthy, and to have seen some amazing parts of this country.  The weather has been great every day and we have primarily benefited from tailwind since White Rock, BC.  Something great is on our side.  I like to think that this something great has followed us at every rest stop; within every conversation we’ve had with supporters, family, friends, and with all the people we’ve met – most importantly child ambassadors and their families.  Overall, I am incredibly happy to know that this something great continues to grow as we inspire others and continue to be inspired by the people we’ve met along the way.

Day 12 - Guess who we rode with today…

A few hints: 

• born in 1958
• put his arm around Elizabeth II (breaking royal protocol) and having his photo taken
• Made Night of the National Order of Québec in 1997
• … and the give-away: olympic cyclist in 1984, and raced with Greg Lamonte

You’ve probably guessed it: Louis Garneau!

He rode with us for 20k from St. Augustin to Place Laurier in Québec (Ste. Foy), where we were greeted by a press conference -many speeches, one of which was from Jacob - a teen cancer survivor.

It was an early start for us as we left at 7:15.  It was a fast ride today and the hardest for me yet since I woke up with a sore throat which kept on creeping and creeping into a pretty bad cold by 2pm!  Argh… dammit.  … and we had a head or cross-wind the whole way.  I’m totally spent. It was beautiful nonetheless, following the Fleuve St. Laurent from Trois Rivières to Québec - in the sun.  We rode a total of 140kms, which was plenty.  Along the way, a man working on the roof of his house yelled “Lachez pas!” (don’t give up).  This was a first.  Haven’t heard that one until now… still not sure if it was because we looked in pain and close to giving up or if it was just someone being nice and thoughtful.  either way, it was encouraging!

I just got up from what was meant to be a power nap in the RV.  Not showered. Not fed.  eek. Luckily, we should be arriving in Edmunston (NB) in less than an hour.  I’m pounding down lots of water, Cold FX, Ricola, and anything healthy I can get my hands on.  Unfortunately, I’ve drank at least 10 litres of water in the last 3 hours and need to make the RV stop for a prairie dog pee in the bush - more often than I would like. Flushing the bad; cleansing with some veggies, fruit smoothies and lots of water. So far, so good.

The highlight of my day was arriving at Sears, Place Laurier, and seeing my father, grand-mothers, grand-father and aunt, who had made a special trip (from Chicoutimi, Princeville, Plessisville, and Montreal) to see me.  Merci beaucoup!  Votre présence à l’événement m’a beaucoup encouragé! xox  J’vous aime.

Day 11 - Until next time, Josh - with lotsa love

Today we rode from Kingston to Ottawa, with a shuttle in between so that we could make it to the Inside Ride in Ottawa on time.  Friends and family joined us again for a ride along.  Although we’ve had many sunny days, this was by far the sunniest and warmest.  It was absolutely gorgeous.

We began the day with a dedication to Megan Cross - Ken’s daughter. Megan had her first treatment in September 2008.  Her cancer relapsed in February 2010 at which time her sister Leah donated her marrow to her little sister.  Today, Megan has over 95% donor marrow (her own sister’s DNA) and will be entering Grade 2 in early October.  On Megan’s profile (http://www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com/en/national-kids-cancer-ride/ambassadors.php#mcross), Ken states “We have learned so much about our daughter; she is my hero. I never thought that anyone, let alone a 6 year old could handle so many drugs coursing through their body, not get sick, make jokes, worry about how I’m feeling, play with the nurses and volunteers and most of all stay positive.”  

At my entrance into Ottawa, I was greeted by the craziest, nuttiest, ecstatic bunch of loonies: my family - on the Inside Ride bike, wearing Hurricane Hélène branding and buns of steel to go with their team name “Foufounes d’acier”.  They even took the time to write encouragements on the wall to my bunk before I arrived. Other friends and family were there to cheer me on and support the cause.   I love you guys. You’re awesome!

We had a wonderful dinner at Sears with good vegetarian options and 5 or so chocolate moose & caramel pies… (there IS a god!), and finished our day with an “aurevoir” to Josh and his family, and Drew.  I really didn’t want Josh to leave.  I would love to see him dip his wheel in the Atlantic with us.  I am confident, however, that another National Rider team will get to witness this someday.  Josh has truly been an inspiration to me and has marked me forever.  He is my hero and I am a better person because of him.

Day 10 - What a day

Day 10’s cheer was “All SNKCR riders on day 10, we ride with Josh because he can!”

I am writing this on Day 11 because I couldn’t find the words yesterday to express all the events and emotions.  We met up with the other two teams in Woodstock and picked up family and friends as Ride Alongs as we made our way to Toronto.  Stops included Branford, Burlington, Oakville, and finally Etobicoke.  At each of the stops, we were reminded of why we ride.  So many stories of children who faught, are fighting or lost their battle to cancer.  I could write a novel about yesterday, but instead, I am sharing the most impactful speech I have ever heard about something I am close to and feel strongly about.  Josh gave this speech in Burlington.  Read it. Listen to it.  Cry through it.  Most importantly - be inspired by it.

Last year I stood in this very spot speaking to you as a young cancer survivor and I asked you to ride for me until the day I could ride with you myself. Well…that day is here! Today, I stand here as a very proud 2010 National Rider.

Thank you to everyone who helped get me here. Thank you to the Coast to Coast foundation for listening to me and giving me this incredible opportunity, Thanks to my family for believing in me and guiding me every step of the way. Thank you to my tandem partner, Drew, for your patience and determination. Thank you for helping me to re-live the part of my childhood that I missed. And thank you to Terry Fox for leaving a legacy for all of us to follow – we share the same dream of hoping to see the end of cancer.

Each morning of the ride, we dedicate the day to a young cancer patient. Today, I’d like to dedicate my speech to a few of the hospital friends who I met during my cancer treatment. Like me, they were kids who were robbed of their childhood and spend most of their days in a hospital room instead of playing in the park or riding a bike. I dedicate this to Richard who lost his battle at the age of 10 after fighting 3 types of cancer. I dedicate this to Matthew who fought the same fight I did with a brain tumour but was taken from us at the age of 9. I dedicate this to Hailey and Anthony who both lost their leg to cancer but continue to be an inspiration to all. And I dedicate this to Tanner who never got to go home.

Tomorrow my journey as a national rider will end in Ottawa but my journey as a cancer survivor will go on. I hope that you will continue to ride strong for me and for all kids like me. Whether you know it or not, what you are doing DOES make a difference. It’s not all about the money you help to raise, it’s about inspiring the kids, making them see what’s possible, giving them hope, giving them a reason to fight. When I grow up, I want to be just like you. I want to be like Matt, a cancer survivor with big spirit and an even bigger heart. I want to be like Ryan, someone who wants to make a change and does it with a smile. I want to be like Roger and help build community awareness. I want to be like Ulana and believe in pennies from heaven. And I want to be just like Drew and maybe someday help to make another young child’s dream come true just like he did mine.

Thank you to all the riders, organizers and volunteers for making me feel like a special part of this team. YOU are an amazing group of dedicated people and a true inspiration. This is an experience I will never forget.

Today I leave you with a few final words that I am proud to say. Together, let’s ride for those kids sitting in a hospital room receiving treatment. Let’s ride for those kids who are yet to be diagnosed. Let’s ride for those kids who never had a chance andride along with me and help me prove that there IS hope AND there is life after cancer.

Day 9 - Josh’s first 187 & Melodina’s Courage

We rode closer to home today (Tobermory to Collingwood).  It was an overall fantastic ride. It was great to get back into the rolling hills, despite the scarified first 40k and the heavy winds.  We rode for Melodina Herman from Shelburne Ontario, who passed away on January 10th, 2009, after living through 3 years of treatment.  She was 18.  When Melodina was asked to tell us what her message was to the riders, volunteers, sponsors and all Canadians - she said “My watchwords are Strength and Courage.  We will win this battle as long as we all continue to fight it together.  The children need you.  They are inspired and borrow strength and courage from your efforts.  Thank you.”

Unbelievable.

Josh Nelson continued the ride with us again today, on tandem with Drew.  It wasn’t an easy ride for either of them… but they managed to complete the 187kms!  This is an amazing accomplishment for Josh, and we are all very proud of and inspired by him. 

We finished the day with yet again another pizza dinner.  I swear, my diet of late has been cookies, eggs and pizza. Luckily, Rina (Josh’s mother) and Nancy (RV driver) made a special stop at the store and organic bakery today to get me and Tom (the other vegetarian on the team) some vege goods.  I accidentally bit into some ham yesterday in a Western omelet - before the ferry - and just about had a harry fit… too little sleep; not enough riding; and too many people in confined spaces.  All is well now.  I’ve spent a great day riding (without be shuttled!), I just had a Chai Latte from Starbucks AND we finished the day with a treat from Melanie - a visit at the Scandinavi Spa in Collingwood!  now, back to reality: RV, Bunk Truck, and another ride tomorrow (Woodstock to Toronto).

Day 8 - no riding today… :(

We woke up at 7:30am this morning - already 50k ahead because our original rest stop for the night before didn’t have enough room for all vehicles.  We went for breakfast and were only ready to get on the road at 9:30.  We then got news that most of our route would be on construction … and that we couldn’t ride over it.  Given the short ride; the bad weather; and the fact that we needed to get to the ferry to Tobermory on time… we made an executive decision NOT to ride today. Blah. Bummer.

Oh well.  Good thing is - we’re well rested and took a nice long warm shower. I’m ready to get on my bike right now!  Not sure if I’ll be able to sleep tonight without having worked my legs for a full day.

I also got to spend a lot of time with Josh Nelson in our RV today.  What an inspiration.

See his own blog at: http://joshnelson.snkcr.com/

or one of his speeches at: http://www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com/en/about-us/2009-event/video-archive.php

We also got to see others from Teams 1 and 3 on the ferry which was like seeing long lost family members for the first time in ages!  

Alright… that’s it for today.  More to share tomorrow.

Updated photos at: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7134429&l=662cbe8989&id=682786437

Day 7 - gerbil gerbil

Today (Nipigon to Marathon) was a hard day. Lots of hills.  Climbed 5000 feet. But it was AMAZING.  I’m beginning to sympathize with the life of a gerbil - spin my wheels; eat; pee; spin my wheels; eat; pee; spin my wheels; eat; pee; sleep.  

Today, I woke up absolutely freezing. I simply could not warm up.  I could barely hold my bowl of oatmeal… and certainly couldn’t fathom eating any cold fruit or drinking anything cold… tough start.  The sweat from my long-finger gloves had frozen and my base layers were used from the previous day.  Roger - who has learned from past experience, having done the ride in 2008, and having brought every piece of cycling clothing he owns - was kind enough to lend me his gloves and leg warmers.  I doubled up - mitts and gloves; compression tights and leg warmers; and three layers of shirts under my jacket.  It was that cold!  We woke up in a camp site so out-houses were the closest thing to a warm enclosed space…

Lots of talk about washrooms and showers today. Dave made all of us women very happy when we woke up - someone asked: are there washrooms here - and he responded: “I’m a man… the world is my bathroom”.  Yeah. Funny at the time… not so funny when we realized that our washrooms were out-houses and that it was -2 outside.

Nonetheless, once I was dressed for the arctic, we started the day on a positive note.  The camp site was on a lake and the sun was piercing through the fog on the lake.  We dedicated the ride to Isabella who was impacted my Neuroblastoma at 6 weeks old.  Read her story at www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com in the Ambassadors section (bottom of main page).  My own words unfortunately can’t do justice to the pain that this little infant went through.

While the hills today were hard, I’ve rarely climbed so easily.  Isabella was on my mind every time I got to the bottom of a hill and thought “This hill is nothing compared to what Isabella had to endure”. Suck it up, buttercup… and fight that hill!

The highlight of my day was meeting Josh Nelson (7yr cancer survivor) who is joining us for 5 days with Drew Molar (pulling him on a tandem bike).  Josh is 16 yrs old, and although he lives with the affects of his cancer, he exudes the brightest energy and happiness.  I am grateful to be riding with him and sharing stories as he joins us in the RV for the next four days.