FORT KENT, Maine – People in the St. John Valley and beyond will have a chance to bike, walk, run, or tour the area via motorcycle or ATV while supporting the families of cancer patients during the 34th annual Tour de la Vallee this Saturday.
The Tour de la Vallee is an annual fundraising event that benefits the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund. The fund, established in 1978 and named after late St. John Valley resident Guy Paradis, provides funding for the families of cancer patients receiving treatment who need to travel far from home.
The fund, according to its official website, has raised $1,456,684 and supported 1,675 families since its formation. Last year alone, it raised $106,142 and supported 23 local families.
The fund, administered by Northern Maine Medical Center, also sponsors monthly support groups, spreads cancer awareness, and offers an extensive-reference library for cancer-related subjects.
Organizers expanded the event last year to include routes for runners, ATVs, and motorcycles. Each route during the event will have rest stops with water, fruit, and snacks. Last year was the fundraiser’s most successful event, and resulted in $31,300 raised for the cancer fund.
Claire Landry, who in addition to being chair of the Tour de la Vallee, is also on the Paradis Cancer Fund Board and works as the Northern Maine Medical Center executive secretary, said they are hoping that this year’s event will see an even greater turnout and amount raised.
“We’re hopeful that we’re going to do that again this year, because the needs increase every year with the amount of cancer patients we have, and the amount of travel involved for them to get their cancer treatments,” she said.
Between employees at the hospital, members of the cancer board, and community volunteers, Landry said about 50 volunteers are working to put this event together.
For those not interested in cycling, walking, running or riding, other events are planned at the pavilion after the race, around 11 a.m., including live music from the Isaac Leach Band, food from half a dozen unique vendors, and events including an obstacle course, golf putting, corn hole, and a bike rodeo.
Nichole Jandreau, Marketing and Communications Manager at NMMC, said the bike rodeo will be hosted by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. It is free to attend, and will involve providing helmet checks and bike checks, as well as educating the youth on how to ride safely.
“We encourage everyone to bring their kids by and their bikes to make sure that they’re safe,” Jandreau said. “And if they’re in need of anything, we can address it at that time.”
Additionally, this year’s event will feature a new children’s bicycling route in which they will be encouraged to come dressed in their best superhero costume. The route begins at the pavilion and goes through McDonald’s trail, and includes a stop at the local elementary school for snacks.
The tour will take place Aug. 24 at the Lion’s Pavilion at Riverside Park.
Motorcyclists will leave at 8:30 a.m. and take a round trip to Caribou via Route 161. ATVs will be able to travel from the Pavilion to Long Lake Lookout at 8:30 a.m., and then return from the lookout back to the park at 9:30 a.m. via local ATV trails.
Bicycles depart at 9 a.m., and can choose a 17.5-mile, 11-mile, 28-mile, or a 35-mile trip.
Walkers and runners will depart at 9:30 a.m., and can choose a 3k, 5k, or 10k trip.
Landry said they would like to spread the word and make sure more people are aware of the fund and what it offers.
“We know there are more people out there that have cancer and have traveled for their treatments who just aren’t aware of the fund,” she said. “So we’d like to get the word out that this is available.”
Jandreau said the event offers multiple ways to participate, and that people can also donate to the cancer fund directly if they prefer, either online or by contacting the hospital.
“There are a lot of different ways for the community to be involved,” she said, “even if they can’t be here in person.”
Registration fees are $20 per person, or $50 for a household of three or more. Anyone interested in registering or learning more can visit paradiscancerfund.org.
