Grand departure from Gatineau of the cyclists in the Trek for Solidarity held as part of the 20th Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau

GATINEAU, QC, July 9, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Excitement reached a fever pitch in Gatineau this morning as spokespersons Luce Dufault, signer and spokesperson of the Solidarity trek joined 33 cyclists for the start of the Trek for Solidarity held as part of the 20^th edition of the Tour CIBC Charles Bruneau. With the shared hope of putting an end to pediatric cancer and raising funds to achieve that objective, the cyclists will travel a distance of more than 300 km between Gatineau and Boucherville, with a stopover in Vaudreuil-Dorion.

"I've always felt that a sick child is a great injustice, and we can only commend the work this foundation has done over the years to support research and offer these young people a better chance of recovery," said Luce Dufault, singer and spokesperson for the Trek for Solidarity. "My experience at last year's event was so special, I had to come back."

Pairing Based on Caring
Five-year-old Jade, in remission after receiving treatment for lymphoblastic leukemia, will serve as the heroine of this trek. She will accompany the cyclists over the two days of the trek.

For the duration of the event, each cyclist will be symbolically paired with a child with cancer or in remission following treatment for cancer. All the cyclists thus departed this morning, a badge with a photograph of a child proudly pinned close to their hearts. The cyclists will also have a chance to meet these children during the trek. These highly emotional meetings always make for memorable moments. In the 20 editions of the Tour, some 307 children have been paired with cyclists.

To follow the cyclists during the Tour
The public is invited to follow the cyclists by going to charlesbruneau.qc.ca/tour-cibc and visiting the Fondation's Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram (#TourCCB) and YouTube platforms. Video capsules, photos and daily updates will be posted throughout the event.

Trek for Solidarity | Gatineau – Vaudreuil-Dorion – Boucherville | 300 km

Wednesday, July 8
Departure from the Montreal Children's Hospital
2300 Tupper Street, Montréal
(In case of rain – hospital amphitheatre)
12:15 p.m. – Arrival of the cyclists
1:15 p.m. – Official symbolic departure ceremony
2 p.m. – Departure of the cyclists bound for Gatineau

Thursday, July 9
Departure from the Place de la Cité
Boulevard de la Cité, corner boulevard de la Gappe, Gatineau
7:30 a.m. – Ribbon-cutting departure ceremony
8 a.m. – Departure of the cyclists bound for Vaudreuil-Dorion
12:12 p.m. – Lunch at the Grenville Community Centre, Grenville
4:15 p.m. – Arrival in Vaudreuil-Dorion
4:35 p.m. – Arrival ceremony

Friday, July 10
Departure from Château Vaudreuil
7:30 a.m. – Departure of the cyclists
11:28 a.m. – Lunch in St-Rémi
3:30 p.m. – Arrival of the cyclists at Parc de la Mairie in Boucherville
4:30 p.m. – Closing ceremony
5 p.m. – BBQ
7 p.m. – End of the event

Interviews
Please note that the spokespersons, hero children and all the cyclists in the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau will be available for interviews during the two days of the event. To request an interview, please contact Mélodie Ménard at 514-561-1966.

About the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau
The Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau has been among the largest fundraising events in Québec for the last 20 years. Thanks to its partners and cyclists, the event has generated close to $15 million since 1995. For further information, please visit charlesbruneau.qc.ca/tour-cibc.

About the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau
Over the last 25 years, the Fondation has invested $50 million in research and in the construction and development of and the acquisition of equipment for the Centre as well as three pediatric oncology units.

The Fondation is proud to have established these specialized facilities, which are better adapted to the needs of families, and it now intends to make the most of its investments in the development of the research.

Two objectives will serve to guide researchers: curing the 20% of children whose cancer is resistant to treatment, and improving the quality of life of children in remission so that they can achieve a true cure, free of side-effects and complications. To find out more, please visit charlesbruneau.qc.ca.

To follow the cyclists
The public is invited to view video capsules and photographs posted on the Fondation's website and on its Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (#TourCCB) and YouTube platforms.

To make a donation
The public can show support for children with cancer by encouraging the cyclists with a donation. In order to make a donation, dial 1 877 256-0404 or visit charlesbruneau.qc.ca/tour-cibc. During the month of July, donations can also be made via text message by texting TOUR at 20222.                                                                

SOURCE Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau

Marie-Claude Lachance, Director of events and communications, Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau, Tél. [phone], poste 230, Cell. 514 219-6350, [email protected]; Interview requests: Mélodie Ménard, Senior coordinator, Morin Relations Publiques, Cell. 514-561-1966, [email protected]