“It’s the least I can do, it’s just hair and it grows back, and they can’t do it,” said Joan LeMoine of her continuing campaign to raise money for the Tour de Rock in support of children with cancer.
The well-known, volunteer extraordinaire is joining efforts with The NEWS publisher Peter McCully to raise money for a big head shave at the Rotary Beer & Burger night at the Quality Inn Bayside Sept. 26 when the tour passes through town.
Together they hope to raise $10,000 for the cause and they’re calling on the community to help.
Like McCully, LeMoine said she could unfortunately draw inspiration in the fight against cancer from many personal experiences. When asked, she spoke of one little girl who was learning to sand sculpt at this summer’s Beachfest, where LeMoine is director of volunteers.
“When I asked her how old she was, this sweet little girl said she was three and a half and boasted ‘I’m a survivor’… I had a lump in my throat.”
The little girl’s mother confirmed she’d spent 18 months out of her not-quite-four-years in B.C. Children’s Hospital.
“A lot of it is mental attitude, you only get out what you put in,” LeMoine said, marvelling over the girl’s happy approach to life.
Like the Parksville pair, each of the 16 law enforcement and media riders in this year’s ride down the Island have inspirational stories, many of which will be shared at the beer and burger event which is selling out quickly.
While McCully admits to being nervous about shaving his head for the first time, this will be the third year in a row for LeMoine and she said she wasn’t sure she was going to do it again until she saw McCully’s efforts and thought they could do well raising money together.
Black Press has sponsored the event for all 16 years and The NEWS is happy to support the fundraising efforts, with all proceeds going to pediatric cancer research and programs for children with a history of cancer.
The 1,000 km cycle down Vancouver Island over 14 event-filled days passes through Parksville Qualicum Beach on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Tickets for the gala dinner with the riders — including local Cpl. Jesse Foreman and Black Press rider Arnold Lim — are $20 and available at Parksville Chrysler, the Quality Inn or any Parksville Rotary member.
To sponsor McCully, visit www.petermccully.com. For LeMoine, e-mail the2jays@shaw.ca or call 250-228-0093 to make arrangements.
Donations can also be dropped off at The NEWS office or Parksville city hall for LeMoine.
