Stephie’s Bike Tour a Success

Eight months in planning paid off this past weekend for the organizers of Stephie’s Bike Tour, a fundraiser for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. Founded by local residents Sheila and Richard Gagnon, whose seven-year-old daughter, Stephie, suffers from a rare autoimmune disorder (juvenile dermatomyositis or “JDM”), the event consisted of two bike runs: a 30km morning tour and a 5km afternoon family tour.

In all, the event attracted a total of over three hundred participants. The tour also had an extremely dedicated volunteer team, fifty of whom helped make the day’s event possible.

“It’s a beautiful day, and a worthwhile cause,” said Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Gale Katchur, who participated as a cyclist in the event. “Wow, what a lot of energy out here today… our community has so much heart and soul,” she continued.

Stephie’s physician, Dr. Claire LeBlanc, also attended the event. Speaking at the mid-event presentation, she indicated how important fundraising events were for children like Stephie that are treated at the Stollery: “Some children need very expensive medication to treat JDM,” she explained.

Although official numbers will not be available for a couple of weeks, organizers estimated at the event that they had raised between $25,000 and $30,000 for the Stollery.

Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Gale Katchur (R) with husband, Wayne.

Stephie Gagnon (L), awaits the start of the 5km tour

Stephie Gagnon and her father, Richard, lead the way.