ST. PAUL – The Great Cycle Challenge, among Canada’s biggest cycling events, began in 2016. It challenges riders of all ages and abilities to accomplish their riding goals but also to raise funding for children fighting cancer.
Sue deMoissac of St. Paul has been riding for nine years since the challenge began. In the beginning, one of her nieces heard about the challenge and asked deMoissac if she wanted to accompany her, which she did.
Since then, she did not stop riding, despite going through knee replacements and knee surgery in the past years. So, she makes sure not to push herself too hard.
But for her, the challenge is more than just about riding. It is a deeply personal mission – a cause close to her heart.
She rides for four kids who were affected by cancer, including a relative who passed away when they were two years old. As a mother, she said it was “the hardest funeral... the hardest everything I’ve ever been to.”
DeMoissac said she could not fathom what little kids with cancer are going through. “They don’t have an understanding of the world,” she said. “My wish is for kids to be living life instead of fighting for their life.”
“So, I ride with them in mind every year. They’re my motivation. When I have really tough days, I think, ‘Those kids went through way worse than I did’,” she said.
For deMoissac, the ultimate goal is always the hope that someday, cures for cancer will be found, not only for kids, but adults too. She said she lost adult relatives to cancer too. “It’s tough.”
In the last 9 nine years, deMoissac has raised $41,901 and rode for 4,279 km.
Her minimum riding goal this year is 500 km, and she rode just over 194 km as of Aug. 9. But she hopes to reach 5,000 km before the end of the month.
To accomplish that, “I’m going to try to do a morning ride... [and an] after-supper ride to break it up so it’s not too hard,” she said.
In addition to riding, deMoissac is also doing her own promotion on social media and other fundraising methods to raise money for the cause like collecting empty bottles and cans.
“People have been really good. They’ve been dropping off bags,” she said.
When she is riding, she has a sign on her bike, and she wears a shirt to indicate what she is riding for. “And I’ve actually been stopped on the street mid-ride a few times this year already,” by people who wanted to make donations, said deMoissac with much glee.
People also provided cash and wrote cheques to her. She said she makes sure to provide them receipts for their donation.
People can also donate online at: greatcyclechallenge.ca
Sue can also be reached at: 780-614-5602
On Aug. 14, in observation of Kick Cancer’s Butt Day, all online donations will be matched.
DeMoissac thanked the community for their support.
