Seven years, 2,779 kilometres, and nearly $100,000 later, a La Broquerie man isn’t putting the brakes on his mission to help end childhood cancer.
Jean Gagnon, 60, has been participating in the Great Cycle Challenge (GCC) since 2019——a fundraiser that challenges Canadians to ride throughout the month of August and raise money in the fight against kids' cancer.
More than just a ride
As a cyclist, Gagnon was first drawn in by the biking aspect of the GCC—but the cause behind it is what keeps him going.
"It's knowing that there's kids out there that are very young, and are going through a lot more than any of us will ever go through," he says.
While he doesn't personally know any children with cancer, he knows the impact of it well.
Each year he participates in the GCC, Gagnon dedicates his ride to someone who is battling cancer or has survived it.
"I have a friend in Steinbach and he's going through that. He's young, only in his 40s, and he's battling cancer. Then there's also my wife who, at age 39, was diagnosed with colon cancer. This year I have an uncle...and he's going through cancer," he says.
The GCC doesn't require fundraisers to cycle a certain distance, he says, but each August he commits to biking 400km.
"There are some days that it's windy and it's cold, or it's raining, but I think of the kids, and the kids are going through a lot more," he says.
Progress made over seven years
In his first year with the GCC, Gagnon raised around $3,800, which he felt pretty good about. He more than doubled that the next year.
"I just kept going. Then it was $10,244 and I started thinking of other ways to do some fundraising," he says.
He put his thinking to action and started collecting empty beer cans. The first year he collected them, he says he raised more than $1,200, and last year around $850.
"This year, so far I've raised $775," Gagnon says.
He says fundraising can be a lot of work: sending out emails, handing out "business cards," texting, posting on Facebook, and more. In nearly seven years, Gagnon has raised almost $100,000.
"70 per cent don't answer back. But the 30 per cent that do, they give a lot," Gagnon says with a smile.
Now, he is close to raising a total of $100,000 for the cause.
"People say, 'It's amazing what you're doing,' but I just do it," he says.
Those wishing to support Gagnon’s fundraising efforts can find him on Facebook or visit his participant profile on the Great Cycle Challenge's website.