Blading for cancer
Shannon LeClair – Times Reporter
Winnipeg business student Daniel Cloutier, 21, is taking a different approach to raising money for cancer.
Cloutier was struck by inspiration after his uncle lost his fight with cancer a few years ago and more recently his grandmother was diagnosed.
He gathered his girlfriend Chantal Courcelles, and his friend Eric Foidart, and with the help of sponsors, like the people from GNR Camping World in Winnipeg, he began his trek.
Cloutier is rollerblading across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He began his trip on May 1, starting in Vancouver, and hopes to end it on July 31 in Halifax.
On May 13 Cloutier went through Strathmore, not long after leaving Calgary with a police escort.
“I’m trying to do about 75km a day, and on nice pavement I can go for a long time. At night the team stops at campgrounds,” said Cloutier.
His mission is not to target one type of cancer but to raise money and awareness to all types. He had been planning the trip for about a year and wanted to do it while he is young.
He has found that many people have been friendly and helpful thus far into his trek, and has been fortunate the wind has been at his back, helping to push him along.
“Everyday people are stopping at the side of the road to get pictures,” said Cloutier.
Rollerblading has always been something he has been passionate about, and so when he set his mind to journey across the country raising money, it was no contest as to which way he would do it.
“He came to us trying to raise money for cancer, and we said sure no problem and we grabbed a brand new trailer and, helped get it decaled and, helped him get going,” said Jim Gorrie from GNR.
“There’s a lot to know and do for him, it was a pretty big thing for him to take on and I’m sure he’s learning everyday on the road.”
Murray Chevrolet, out of Winnipeg, donated a truck for the journey and other sponsors helped the team out with things like rollerblades and gear.
This will be the first time anyone has rollerbladed across the country.
“People run or bike, but this is the first rollerblading one that I can think of,” said Jason Permanand communications specialist for the Canadian Cancer Society, Manitoba division.
“We are happy that he chose the Canadian Cancer Society to donate his money to. There are a lot of other good charities to donate money to, and with his uncle’s death and his grandmother’s recent diagnosis he obviously has an intimate connection with cancer. We’re just thrilled that he’s putting in this great effort to raise money for a great cause and for the fight against cancer.”
To keep track of how Cloutier is doing or to donate to his cause visit his website www.dontstopbelieving.ca