Anick Lamoureux and Eric Valois are teaching their children the importance of supporting the community through their involvement with BMO Ride for Cancer.
Originally from Quebec, the couple and their two children – Lexie, age 12, and Tyler, age 11 – moved to Hammonds Plains in 2014. Anick, a government forensic accountant, was first to join BMO Ride for Cancer back in 2018 when a friend invited her to join her team. It was also Anick’s way of celebrating her mother’s long-term survival after a battle with cancer many years ago.
Eric and the children didn’t ride that year, but they supported Anick by cheering her on along the sidelines and at the finish line wearing t-shirts they made for the event.
Eric, a general contractor, joined Anick on her friend’s team the following year and in 2020, they formed their own team of family and friends. That was also the same year Eric lost his mother to cancer and the team was ultimately created in her memory.
“In 2020 we decided to create our own team, Cure Cyclers. We called it Cure Cyclers so everyone can relate and ride for the loved ones they’ve lost to cancer, but also for those who are fighting to conquer cancer,’’ explains Anick.
The team has varied in size over the years, peaking at 44 members last year. Between 2018 and 2023, the family has raised a whopping $23,754 and with donations so far this year, they’ve almost reached the $25,000 mark. The team, meanwhile, has become one of the top fundraisers year-after-year by collectively raising $166,166 between 2020 and 2023.
Losing Eric’s mother to cancer has made BMO Ride that much more significant to the family as has the recent loss of a team member to the disease. They fundraise in a variety of ways including green bin cleaning, bottle drives, raffles and 50/50 draws, a spin-a-thon event, and general donations.
According to Anick, they simply try to raise as much money as they can every year for both the team and the family right up until the very end.
“We hit our fundraising minimum of $1,000, but then we don’t stop there: we keep pushing and fundraising until BMO Ride day.’’
Eric and Anick will be cycling the 100-kilometre road route once again this year, while Lexie and Tyler will be participating for their fourth time and cycling the 50-kilometre trail route along with their grandfather who travels from Quebec every year for the event.
The fact that all funds raised by the BMO Ride for Cancer community directly supports cancer care here at home, at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, is extremely important to the family as they look to the future.
“Even though we’re not originally from here, this is where we decided to stay and if anything were to happen, we want to make sure we have the best available care here in Nova Scotia,’’ says Anick who, after many years of involvement with BMO Ride for Cancer, joined its volunteer executive leadership committee.
She’s looking forward to another rewarding experience this 10th anniversary year and celebrating their team’s accomplishments after crossing the finish line.
“The day of event is such a great and rewarding experience to finish both the ride and our fundraising journey,” she says. “It’s a celebration of all our efforts and it’s what I look forward to the most every year.”
Although he rode for the first time while his mother was undergoing treatment, BMO Ride for Cancer has become that much more personal for Eric since the loss of his mother to cancer.
“Everybody has a cancer story somewhere – whether directly or indirectly – but when she fell sick, we felt the urge even more to get involved and give back,’’ says Eric, who is aiming to hit the cumulative total of $10,000 raised for the years he’s participated in the event. “We’re carrying it on as a family, which is really special.”
Although he clears his mind and focuses on the task at hand for a good part of his 100-kilometre ride, Eric says he goes through many different thoughts and emotions along the way. However, the last 10 kilometres tend to be “particularly emotional” for him in that there’s the realization of just how much of an impact that BMO Ride is having on so many people.
“For me, it’s the last stretch of the ride when you really register what you’re accomplishing together and the families you’re impacting,” says Eric. “Once you hear and see everyone chanting and cheering as you near the finish line, it really hits you.”
Taking part in the annual BMO Ride for Cancer has taught Lexie and Tyler the importance of giving back to the community – a lesson they will undoubtedly carry with them throughout their lives. Fundraising can be a little more challenging for the youngsters, but according to the siblings, it’s a challenge they happily undertake to support cancer patients and their families.
As the pair explain, they’re happy to be fundraising and riding in memory of one grandmother and in honour of the other.
“My grandma passed away and one of my grandma’s survived cancer,’’ shares Tyler. “I feel pretty proud of myself because doing this reminds me of them.’’
Tyler says people are often shocked by the fact he rides 50 kilometres at such a young age, but in reality, he wants to do the “100-kilometre route someday”.
Lexie also rides for her grandmothers and “just in general” because she feels it’s important to start fundraising at a young age.
“It feels pretty good knowing that you’re doing it for someone who has struggled with cancer,” she says. “And it feels good doing it knowing that both my grandma’s had cancer and one beat it and was able to watch me grow.”
According to Lexie, the family spends a lot of their summer biking and prepping for the annual event which is both exciting and rewarding.
“It’s really good exercise, plus you get the good feeling of fundraising to help others,” Lexie says with wisdom far beyond her years.
As the family of four gears up for event day on September 28, they’re looking forward to a fun day of cycling, honouring those they know and love
BMO Ride for Cancer is proudly hosted by the QEII Foundation. All funds raised here, save lives here. Support Lexie, Tyler, Anick, Eric or another BMO Ride for Cancer participant with a donation today.
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