The 20th Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau a triumphant success as $3.2M raised in support of children with cancer

MONTRÉAL, July 10, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - A festive and euphoric atmosphere reigned today as the cyclists in the 20^th edition of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau reached their destination after riding close to 1,600 kilometres throughout Québec in the shared hope of putting an end to pediatric cancer. The Tour's 10 spokespersons – Pierre Bruneau, Ginette Bruneau, Paul Doucet, Pierre Jobin, Eve Landry, Julie Marcoux, Luce Dufault, Alexandre Dubé, Hugo Giroux and Marie-Claude Sabourin – joined the 400 cyclists taking part to celebrate the resounding success of this major cycling event, which raised the impressive sum of $3.2M. The proceeds will go towards financing projects in the area of pediatric oncology.

Families, friends and colleagues gathered at Parc de la Mairie in Boucherville to welcome home the cyclists. Emotions were running high among the six young heroes of the 20^th edition: for Alexandre, Cheyenne, Étienne, Jade, Zachary and Émilie, the Tour is an inestimable source of support and encouragement.

"After 25 years, we can guarantee you that Charles would be extremely proud to see that research gives us all ample reason to hope. From one year to the next, we've seen nothing but an increase in perseverance, enthusiasm and generosity on the part of participants in events like this one. These men and women not only inspire our major partners and thousands of donors, but they also generate hope, and for more than 2,000 young people throughout Québec, they breathe life into dreams of a cure," said an emotional Pierre Bruneau, the spokesperson for the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau and a cyclist in the 4-day leg of the Tour. "Thanks to their people's efforts to mobilize, significant progress has been achieved through research, and we couldn't be more grateful. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every person directly or indirectly involved in this fantastic success story."

The Trek for Hope got underway in Montréal on July 7, 2015, as 38 cyclists set out to ride close to 550 kilometres through Drummondville, Sherbrooke and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, where they were joined by more than 140 cyclists for the final leg of the Tour. The cities of Québec, Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and (for the first time) Boucherville also served as departure points for the five additional one- or two-day treks undertaken as part of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau.

* For Sylvain Vinet, Senior Vice-President, Eastern Canada Region, Retail Markets, CIBC, this association was perfectly natural.

"CIBC is proud to mark our 10th Anniversary as title sponsor of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau this year," says Sylvain Vinet, CIBC's Region Head, for Eastern Canada and President of the Steering Committee for the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau. "Our employees across the province are passionate about joining with our clients and communities to raise funds to support the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau in bringing hope to children affected by cancer and offering them a better chance of recovery."

To relive the highlights from the 20^th edition of the Tour
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.

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 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 make a donation
The public can show its 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, Tel.: [phone], extension 230, Cell: 514-219-6350, [email protected]; Interview requests: Jade St-Jean, Senior Coordinator, Morin Relations Publiques, Tel.: [phone], extension 235, Cell: 514-716-7530, [email protected]