“Everyone who participates in this type of an event comes out of it changed, a different person. This giving of oneself requires seeing life in a new and different way.”

I’m a young retiree, a born philanthropist, and I love to make a difference in my life and in the lives of others.
 
I first got to know more about the Quebec Cancer Foundation when I participated in a fundraising event for a friend a mine who had cancer. This led me to browse through the Foundation’s Web site, where I discovered the various trips proposed as part of its Voyage ta vie series of adventures. The Défi des Îles 2019 immediately caught my attention, just after learning that two of my loved ones had received THE diagnosis. Having always wanted to visit the beautiful Îles-de-la-Madeleine and well aware that the Foundation’s objectives were perfectly aligned with my own, I decided to take the leap! Being in good health, I wanted to do my part to help improve the well-being of Quebecers battling cancer as well as their loved ones.
 
In September 2019, I joined a group of 20 extraordinary people to participate in Compostîles. We walked with a shared purpose: our pride at persevering and exceeding and more importantly, our fervent desire to help all those touched by cancer.

We walked with a shared purpose: our pride at persevering and exceeding and more importantly, our fervent desire to help all those touched by cancer.

Over a period of 8 days, we walked against headwinds and battled the tides, thinking of our loved ones who had been fighting a daily battle, some for many years already.
 
Everyone who participates in this type of an event comes out of it changed, a different person. This giving of oneself requires seeing life in a new and different way.
 
Duration the pilgrimage, I work up each morning and dedicated that day’s walk to a loved one. When I returned in the evening, I would congratulate myself for persevering. It brought me an immense satisfaction!
 
The journey was exceedingly well organized and very well structured. The entire period was permeated by a certain sense of peace and joy as we basked in the warmth of the local islanders. And of course, enjoyed the hearty welcome, the accommodations and the bounty at every meal.
 
The entire experience was also enhanced by the attention and support we received from organizers. Before leaving, we benefited from the advice of a kinesiologist, tips from past participants in similar treks, group walks, and more.
 
In closing, I was so enamoured of my trip to the islands that I convinced my better half to walk by my side in 2021!
 
ATTENTION: I’m challenging everyone who reads this. If you’re ready to live a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and to take on 8 days of walking, one day at a time, and ultimately rack up somewhere in the vicinity of 220,000  steps (this is more or less 180 km) to help the Foundation continue helping persons in need, you’re perfect for this!
 
The premise is a simple one: You must be able to take a 10-day vacation, plan a travel budget of around $1,800 (everything included except for personal expenses), raise at least $750 in funds remitted directly to the Foundation, be in reasonably good physical health, own a good and sturdy pair of sneakers or walking shoes, a proper backpack and quality walking sticks. Oh, and your heart needs to be in the right place. People who check off all of these boxes are tailor-made for this pilgrimage.

Suzanne Gagné
 

​Escape for the cause