FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Huge success for the 4th edition of the Quebec Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run
Quebec March 2nd 2009
The 4th annual Quebec Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run was held for the first time in the city of Quebec. The staging for departure took place at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, by a beautiful sun filled and crisp morning. Over $150,000 was raised this past weekend between pledges, the lottery and sponsors. « This has been a huge success, after only 4 years of existence in Quebec, and we are proud to see the Foundation grow so rapidly… » states Isabelle Dusastre, Foundation President.
Normally an all women event, this year the Foundation opened a new co-ed team that joined the already existing 4 other women teams. 76 ladies, escorted by numerous club trail patrollers were awaiting on the starting line the opening ceremony. « The four snowmobile clubs supervising our trails rolled out the red carpet for us! The volunteer groomers worked miracles for us after the downpour we encountered the previous day. Volunteers were at crossroads to allow us to pass safely at all times » explained Isabelle Dusastre. Many sleds were decorated by their owner’s with pink colours stating breast cancer! A truly moving experience of the morning was the moment of silence in memory of those who lost their battle to breast cancer. After that, all five groups of riders took off on the beautiful trails of the region to meet up again for lunch at the sugar shack « Cabane Chabot » and enjoy a much appreciated break. After lunch the ladies geared up again so as to head back to the hotel on their designated routes.
Kelly Shires, founder of the charity, who lost her battle to breast cancer in October 2004 had a big dream, that of having a chapter in each Province of the country, so as to help more and more women challenged with breast cancer. Quebec is the second province to welcome such an initiative. The theme of the Randonnée des Neiges is “women helping women”. The ride is aimed to raise funds to financially assist women and men - even if a minority - diagnosed with breast cancer and create awareness, from pledge forms to draws and auctions, everything done this day is to help these people. All proceeds from this « Randonnée des Neiges » and all future “Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation” or “Randonnée des Neiges de Kelly Shires” events, goes to financially assisting women (and men) in their fight with breast cancer. Our founder, Kelly Shires, wanted these people to see their recovery with a more serene and positive outlook. It is important people become aware of this reality, so as to help more and more women.
The Federation of snowmobiles of Quebec (FCMQ), in it’s 5 year environmental plan, took the initiative to lead a « Carbon Zero » event at the Kelly Shires Quebec Snow Run. Specific calculations certified by « Arbres Canada » were done so as to measure the footprint of the ride and this spring a tree planting activity will take place along the trails the event followed. By accomplishing this, the recreational snowmobile activity has thus demonstrated its commitment both environmentally and socially. Furthermore, a « green » snowmobile participated in the ride; this concept was generated by the students of the ETS in Montreal (engineering school) under their program QUIETS. Their machine was fuelled by E85 (ethanol at 85%), et underwent major modifications in the track so as to make it more performing and silent, as well as a new exhaust concept with a catalyser and silencer.
At the end of the day, the participants along with their families, gathered for the Gala Award Dinner held at the Four Points by Sheraton Quebec. The evening was filed with awards, prizes and moving testimonies. Jason Bajada, songwriter and singer from Montreal, whose 3rd album was released a few weeks ago, graced us with his talent. Many thanks to Anick Gauthier, Ambassador to our Foundation who organized three other events, « La Randonnée des Pros » held by F. Constantineau & Fils dealership in Mont- Laurier, a second event known as the «Loiselle Maidens » or « Demoiselles de Loiselle » and another ride in Abitibi.
Our sincere thanks to all the participants, and to all the volunteers who dedicated numerous hours to the cause, as well as our partners and sponsors without whom none of this would have been possible: La Fédération des Clubs de Motoneigistes du Québec (F.C.M.Q.), F. Constantineau & Fils BRP dealership, Choko Design, BRP/Ski-Doo, Four Points by Sheraton Hotel and the fantastic local snowmobile clubs: Club Petit Sentier de St-Emile, Club Jacques-Cartier, Club Grand Port-Neuf and the Club Sapin d’Or.
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