While Christine Mitchell’s family structure growing up may not have been what many would have considered “traditional” in the late 1970s/early 1980s, her bond with her brother Martin was undeniable.
Martin was the typical older brother — a jokester who loved to tease and pull pranks. Traits that Martin carried with him through his brief fight against pancreatic cancer.
Photo of Martin – Christine Mitchell’s brother
“His life was really starting to come together. Martin, his wife and two children settled out west, starting a business which was becoming very successful, but then he got sick.”
“He didn’t really pay attention to some of the symptoms and kind of went to the doctor a little bit late,” remembers Christine. “There was nothing that they could do for him at that point.”
Martin passed away in December 2015 at only 49 years old.
The next spring, Christine’s boss brought up the idea of creating a workplace team to take part in the BMO Ride for Cancer — the NSCC Trailblazers — a team that has taken part in the event for the last 11 years.
In that time, Christine and her teammates have held numerous fundraisers to hit their BMO Ride for Cancer goals, including barbecues, raffles, even selling homemade items on their Crafting for a Cure of Cancer Facebook page.
But this year, Christine wanted to do something bold.
“To honour what should have been Martin’s 60th birthday, I’m going to cut and donate my hair to a Canadian program which makes wigs for cancer patients, and then I’m going to shave the rest off! It’s only hair, you know?”
“My brother went through so much in his last three months with us on this earth, this is the least I can do to honour him, and to raise as much money as we can to help prevent other families from having to watch their loved ones pass away.”
Christine won’t be alone in this endeavour. Joining her will be Madeline, her daughter, who is going to cut her long locks to shoulder length.
“Madeline rode in one of the years with me. Cancer has touched other members of our family and thankfully, those family members are now cancer free! She knows the importance of raising awareness, raising funds, and fighting cancer together. She’s very passionate about supporting me.”
Co-workers and supporters alike are stepping up and donating to Christine’s “cut off” event, taking place on July 15.
Photo of Christine’s hair that will be cut on July 15
“We can’t fight this battle alone. I know times are tough. People are struggling but every dollar matters — whether somebody has a dollar to spare or $100, it all counts. I also enjoy highlighting the amazing work that the QEII does for cancer care and research — how the healthcare teams support patients through their treatments. Their success stories. It’s not always a sad ending.”
You can check out Christine’s fundraising efforts by visiting her rider’s page.
Christine believes Martin will be smiling down on her she proudly embraces her shaved head.
“I have some of his ashes in a little necklace, and he goes with me every BMO Ride for Cancer journey. When I’m feeling tired and I just don’t think I can make that last five or ten kilometres, I just talk to him and rub my necklace. It helps push me across the finish line and to keep going.”
Register now for the 2026 BMO Ride for Cancer – The Grand Finale event, taking place on Saturday, October 3, 2026. To donate to a team, like NSCC Trailblazers, click here.
Proudly hosted by the QEII Foundation, BMO Ride for Cancer is one of Canada’s top five peer-to-peer cycling events. Since 2015, our BMO Ride for Cancer community has raised over $15 million net (and counting!) to fund cancer-fighting technology, equipment and spaces at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.
