The climbers taking part in Les trois mousquetons get set for their grand
departure

MONTREAL, April 3 /CNW Telbec/ - The climbers who will attempt to reach Everest Base Camp (Asia) and the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa) gathered at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport today prior to their departure, each excited to meet this major challenge. The third group - the team that will attempt to climb Europe's Mount Elbrous -is slated to fly out on April 6, 2010. Inspired by the 2,000 Quebec children with cancer that dream of recovery, each climber's participation in this bold expedition is intended to salute the courage of these children.

For Pierre Bruneau, spokesman for the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau, this grand departure is the culmination of several months of preparation: "I'm extremely proud to embark on this adventure with people who've been closely involved for almost eight months and who're very excited about meeting this challenge and supporting the cause of children with cancer. The determination of our three musketeers, Émilie, Kassandra and Raphaël, will inspire us to surpass ourselves, both physically and psychologically," he says.

"I'm very pleased to encourage the climbers before their departure, and I hope they reach the summit and that they think of me if they have difficulty," says Émilie Dagenais, an Everest Base Camp musketeer. Aged 11, Émilie is going through a second bout with cancer, in this case with osteosarcoma. She is currently receiving treatment at the Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau at CHU Sainte-Justine. As Émilie has said so often: "If this were easy, it wouldn't be a challenge . . ."

The Kilimanjaro musketeer, Kassandra Dufour, is 13 years of age. Since November 2009, Kassandra has been in remission following a battle with lymphoblastic leukemia.

Seven-year-old Raphaël Hamel, for his part, has courageously fought lymphoblastic leukemia since the age of 2. He is proud to serve as musketeer for the team attempting to climb Russia's Mount Elbrous.

Financial Objective

This grand adventure is aimed at raising proceeds of $1 million in support of the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau.

Les trois mousquetons

This is an ambitious project, one that involves the simultaneous ascent of three mountains on three different continents, with all three climbing teams aiming to reach their respective summits on the same day. From April 3 to 22, 2010, therefore, three teams of climbers (62 in total) will attempt to reach Everest Base Camp (Asia) and the summits of Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa) and Mount Elbrous (Europe).

This adventure is inspired by Athos, Porthos and Aramis, the legendary heroes brought to life by Alexandre Dumas: Courageous and working as one, the famous "One for all and all for one!" will serve as a rallying cry with which each of our climbers will be able to identify.

Daniel Boucher will scale the 5,895 metres to the summit of Kilimanjaro, the mythical African volcano. Pierre Bruneau, for his part, will join the Asian team for the 5,545-metre climb to the base camp on the world's highest peak. Finally, Benoît Gagnon will brave the 5,642 metres to the summit of Mount Elbrous, the highest peak in Europe.

The three summits should be reached on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

The 4th summit - Mount-Royal: the Dartagnan Summit

On April 15, 2010, the three teams of climbers will reach their respective summits (Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro and Elbrous). To highlight this rare feat and recognize the sustained efforts of all of our climbers, an ascent of Mount-Royal will be held on the same day. Expected to attend this symbolic event are children at the Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau and their families, public personalities, and friends and family of the climbers.

Mount-Royal Chalet

The climbers will end their trek at the chalet atop Mount-Royal, where public personalities will be available for interviews, as will children receiving treatment at the Fondation.

The closing ceremonies at the Mount-Royal chalet will also see the spokespersons for each expedition - Pierre Bruneau, Daniel Boucher and Benoit Gagnon - address the participants from their respective mountain perches via satellite telephone. André Robitaille will act as MC.

As the culmination of the project, this event will serve to rally the three expeditions to the cause. It is also on this occasion that the proceeds will be announced.

Timetable for April 15

9:15 a.m. Arrival of the participants at the Beaver Lake Pavilion

10:50 a.m. End of the walk at the Mount-Royal chalet

10:55 a.m. Interview with public personalities / children at the

Fondation

11:25 a.m. Start of the closing ceremonies

11:30 a.m. Discussion with spokespersons live from their respective

summits

11:50 a.m. Annoucement of the proceeds raised

12 a.m. End of the event

To request an interview on the project, please contact David Letky at 514 219-6350.

Please encourage our climbers

To make a donation and follow the climbers taking part in Les trois mousquetons, go to www.lestroissommets.qc.ca. Every day, a short video as well as a few photos of each group will be posted on the website.

About the Fondation

Created in 1990, the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau has a mission to give children with cancer the best possible chance of recovery by supporting research and financing the creation and ongoing development of the Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau at CHU Sainte-Justine. For further details, please visit www.charlesbruneau.qc.ca.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: David Letky, public relations officer for Les trois mousquetons, Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau, [phone], extension 230, Cell: [phone], [email protected]