21st
Les enfants….the impact of life changing event
Je tiens a remercier tous les personnes qui sont venues nous acceuillir a Montreal - Sears Carrefour Angrignon et a l’Hopital Ste. Justine. Merci beaucoup!
Un gros merci a Alexandra Sornberger-Tetrault qui a partager avec nous son experience tres personelle de jeune fille atteint d’un cancer. Nous avons entendus les effets sur sa famille. BRAVO! Courage ma belle.
Un gros merci a Veronique Pellerin, 23 ans, pour partager son experience et vie personelle avec un cancer. Elle nous a racontrer un histoire de success - que sa vie continue avec beaucoup d’espoir et elle poursuit son education (infirmiere!). BRAVO! Courage ma belle.
Les deux filles m’ont toucher profondement, ainsi que mes co-equipiers.
WOW - what a huge day for us. We began the day at Sears St. Laurent in Ottawa with some mist and threat of rain in the air. Ugh, after yesterday that was not appreciated! Thankfully, as the morning progressed the clouds lifted. Close to 30 Ride Along people joined us and a HUGE thanks to all the Marshals who helped keep everyone together and arrive at Rockland. Tim Jenkins; thanks for taking the lead on this.
Ashley Backstrom, 18 years old, kicked things off this morning and shared her personal story of experience with childhood cancer. She finished treatments recently for ALL and now looks forward to graduation (Grade 12). Way to go! What courage and strength. To the Darling Daffodil Sears team made up of two childhood cancer survivors….you girls are the insipiration to so many today. You did it!! It was an honor to ride with you. I am humbled by hearing of your experience and how passionate you are to share with others how important this is to all Canadians. See you next year!
Dr. Halton (CHEO) explained to us that although the medical community is making great progress, that the survival rates for childhood cancer are 80% - the shocking fact remains that 1 in 5 kids diagnosed will not survive. We ride for all of them.
The day ended in brilliant sunshine on the front entrance to the Ste. Justine Hospital in my hometown of Montreal. The foundation embraced and welcomed several new Ambassador Families today. I am humbled to meet them all.
Frederique Cardinal of Operation Enfants Soleil - THANK YOU.
MOM - although you are not on computer or email or blogs and this technology will have escaped you - I am hoping that somehow this gets to you: I love you. You are a strong woman who has taught me to live a full life and take on every challenge and opportunity. You inspire me with your strength and that in turn has given me courage and strength. Thank you so much for sharing and being part of this experience with me. I caught your face in the crowd as I was speaking to the group at Sears Angrignon and, despite feeling quite composed and confident, I was overwhelmed with emotion and tears.
We are en-route to Quebec City right now. Another busy day tomorrow.
