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The 30th Tree of Hope campaign is officially launched!
Bathurst, October 5th, 2018 – The 30th Tree of Hope Campaign was officially launched this morning. Joannie Benoit, campaign co-chair; Gesner Hudon, campaign vice-president in the Chaleur region; and Gilles Lanteigne, Vitality Health Network CEO, were there for the kickoff. Although out of the country on business, Denis Larocque, the other co-chair, took part in the event by video.
As in past years, the campaign will support five major areas: the Dr. Léon-Richard Oncology Centre, the Mgr. Henri-Cormier Lodge, the satellite units in Northern New Brunswick, cancer research and healthy lifestyles.
“We all know someone who is affected by cancer,” said Denis Larocque, CEO of Major Drilling International Inc., in his taped message. “I can tell you that it warms my heart to see hundreds of volunteers spending impressive amounts of time organizing activities to raise funds for the cause. The slogan of the campaign describes very well how I feel in relation to the cause: We’re stronger together! Together, we can do great things. And, the Tree of Hope Campaign has shown it well over the years. I am convinced that we will have an exceptional campaign,” added Mr. Larocque.
Singer and musician Joannie Benoit, herself a cancer survivor, is delighted to act as co-chair again this year.
“This is a cause that is so dear to my heart. I have been involved in the campaign for several years. And over the years I have seen the impact that the funds raised can have on cancer care. I find the generosity of the public and the impact of the campaign quite touching. The radiothon will be held on November 30th. Leading up to that day, I will draw on the courage and determination of the patients; the generosity and selflessness of the hundreds of volunteers and donors; as well as the leadership and professionalism of the medical teams. All this will inspire me to carry out a successful 30th Tree of Hope Campaign.”
Since the event started in 1989, many have worked hard to organize fundraising events. Many have participated in the numerous events held year after year. Many have volunteered at the radiothon. And many have contributed financially to this wonderful cause.
Twenty-six million dollars have been raised since 1989. But, the needs remain as pressing and donations are as necessary today as they were at the outset.
“One thing is clear for me even after all this time: the Tree of Hope Campaign is as relevant and necessary as it was in its infancy,” said Gesner Hudon, vice-president of the Tree of Hope campaign in the Chaleur region. “We are all affected by cancer, directly or indirectly. That is why I chose to participate in the Tour of Hope and act as a volunteer for the campaign. We can all do our small part.”
“Network foundations represent an important pillar that enables us to ensure that our communities, namely in rural areas, have access to high-level hospital care and services. Our partnership with the Tree of Hope Campaign contributes significantly to the ongoing improvement of our oncology services that benefit the entire population” said Gilles Lanteigne, President and CEO of Vitalité Health Network, who was present for the launch.
Mario Arseneault is the director of Public and Corporate Relations at Sawmills Chaleur. He spoke about the importance of the campaign for his company and its employees. “Every year, our employees and the company donate to the campaign. They want to help those who are suffering from cancer as this disease continues to wreak havoc.”
The 2018 Tree of Hope radiothons will be held on November 30th:
- on ICI Radio-Canada Première: from 9 am to 7 pm, live from the CCNB in Dieppe. The public is invited to attend.
- on CBC Radio One: from 6 am to 9 am, live from the CBC studio in Moncton. The public is invited to drop by the studio.
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Contact :
Thérèse Thériault
Tree of Hope Campaign
506 869-2738 or 506 380-3362
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Assumption Life: Official Sponsor of the Tour of Hope for the Next Three Years
In the photo, from left to right: Jacques B. LeBlanc, President and CEO of the CHU Dumont Foundation; Sébastien Dupuis, Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Strategic Partnerships with Assumption Life and Treasurer with the CHU Dumont Foundation’s Board of Directors ; Dr. Carole Williams, Co-chair of the Tour of Hope; André Vincent, President and CEO of Assumption Life; Denis Larocque, Co-chair of the Tree of Hope Campaign, President and CEO of Major Drilling International Inc.; and Réjean Boudreau, Vice-President, Chief of Organizational Development with Assumption Life.
The Organizing Committee of the Tour of Hope is very proud to announce that Assumption Life will be its official sponsor for the next three years.
The Tour of Hope is one of the hallmark events of the Tree of Hope Campaign. The annual fundraiser aims to improve the comfort and quality of care offered to cancer patients here in New Brunswick. In 2017, the Tour of Hope raised $160,000.
For many years now, Assumption Life has proudly supported the Tree of Hope Campaign. Réjean Boudreau, Vice-President, Chief of Organizational Development with Assumption Life, welcomes this announcement. "We are very happy to support the Tour of Hope. This summer, more than 130 participants will cycle for four days over 650 km to raise funds for cancer. It takes a lot of courage and determination to meet such a challenge! That is why we are very happy to become the official sponsor of the event. This clearly demonstrates to the cyclists that we are behind them!" added Mr. Boudreau.
Jacques B. LeBlanc is the President and CEO of the CHU Dumont Foundation. He salutes this partnership. "For many years, Assumption Life has been a leading partner in the Tour of Hope event and the Tree of Hope Campaign, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. It is thanks to companies such as Assumption Life that we can help to support the improvement of cancer care in New Brunswick. On behalf of the patients, the medical staff and the participants in the Tour of Hope, I say thank you to Assumption Life."
2018 Tour of Hope Co-chair Denise Landry-Nadeau welcomes this news with great enthusiasm. "We all have the same goal: to raise as much money as possible for the cause. We want to support the Dr. Léon-Richard Oncology Centre, the satellite units in Northern New Brunswick and the Mgr. Henri-Cormier Lodge. And we want to support cancer research. This partnership with Assumption Life gives us a good push towards achieving our goals. Cyclists will proudly wear the bike jersey with the Assumption Life logo in July!"
The 8th edition of the Tour of Hope will take place from July 26th to 29th. The event begins in Edmundston. The first day, participants will cycle to Campbellton and spend the night there. On Friday, they will cycle through the Chaleur region up to Caraquet. On Saturday, the cyclists will travel to Miramichi, via Tracadie and Neguac. This will be their last stop before the final stretch. On Sunday, they will cycle through Kent County and travel from Miramichi to Moncton.
To sponsor a cyclist, please click HERE.
A Record Year: 121 Cyclists to Participate in Tour of Hope 2018
The eighth edition of the Tour of Hope will be the largest yet. More than 120 cyclists have registered for the event. The Tour of Hope is a 650 km cycling event over four days that raises funds for the Tree of Hope Campaign. The event also helps promote the importance of healthy living. The 2018 Tour of Hope will take place from July 26 to July 29. In 2017, the event raised $160,000.
Once again this year, cyclists from across the province will participate in the event:
- Chaleur Region: 31
- Southeast: 29
- Edmundston Region: 22
- Acadian Peninsula: 16
- Saint-Quentin/Kedgwick: 12
- Grand Falls: 3
- Kent County: 3
- Fredericton: 2
- St. John/Rothesay: 2
- Rogersville: 1
“The amount of interest in this year’s event is just incredible,” says Dr. Carole Williams, Co-Chair of the Tour of Hope. “The Northwest, Restigouche, Chaleur, Acadian Peninsula and the Southeast regions are all well-represented, and once again this year, we will have cyclists from different age groups and with different levels of experience. They will all come together to raise funds for the 30th Tree of Hope Campaign. I can tell you from experience that the funds raised make a real difference in the quality of care we can offer cancer patients here in New Brunswick.”
Denise Landry Nadeau, Co-Chair of the event, is enthusiastically looking forward to the 2018 edition of the Tour of Hope.
“What a great group of cyclists we have for the eighth edition! Among the 120 cyclists, some are participating for the first time, and others have taken part in previous editions. If previous years are any indication, a wonderful camaraderie will develop within the group. And let’s not forget what this is all about: raising funds for the 30th edition of the Tree of Hope Campaign and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.”
The planning committee is thrilled at the growing popularity of the event, and is calling for volunteers who can help ensure the event runs smoothly.
“We are very pleased with the number of participants! It has far exceeded our expectations,” explains Jacques B. LeBlanc, president and CEO of the CHU Dumont Foundation and Chief Organizer for the event. “But with so many cyclists, we need to make sure we have a larger group of volunteers this year. Those who have given their time in the past will tell you it is a jam-packed weekend, but we all have fun and make new friends. We invite anyone interested in helping out to contact us.”
2018 is an important year for the Tree of Hope Campaign, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Since its inception in 1989, the campaign has raised more than $26 million. Funds raised have contributed to improved care at the Dr. Léon-Richard Oncology Centre and Satellite Units in Northern New Brunswick, cancer research efforts, and improved comfort of patients who stay free-of-charge at the Mgr. Henri-Cormier Lodge.
To become a Tour of Hope 2018 volunteer:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(506) 869-2835
To sponsor a Tour of Hope 2018 participant:
www.tourespoir.com
