KP Birthday Fundraiser

In the winter of 2009, an ad on TV caught my attention: an epic cycling event called The Ride to Conquer Cancer, organized by the Jewish General Hospital, was to take place over 2 days from Montreal to Quebec City. Totaling over 250 KM of cycling, the challenge seemed daunting at first and definitely out of my comfort zone, but then I thought… why not! I had never ridden more than 40km on any given ride, and I had the wrong bike, but I was not going to let that stop me. Cancer had taken away some of my family, so I was determined to achieve this feat for them.

What started off as a crazy idea became one of the most amazing experiences ever. I signed up again the following year and put together a team: The Bicycle Bettys. With both events, I helped raise nearly $12,000, with the gracious help of my teammates, family, friends and even strangers.

Fast forward to 2022: I was diagnosed with Stage 1 cervical cancer. I had never thought that I would be confronted with the big C. My heart dropped and fear sets in. Me? Yup… Me. KP.

Once I’d accepted this reality, I wasn’t going to back down. Time to roll up my sleeves and get ready to fight.

After getting through successful surgery with the help of my amazing medical team and of course with the loving support of my family and friends, I knew I had to give back.

So this year, for my birthday (September 8th), I’ve decided what better way to celebrate another year around the sun than to raise money towards research to fight and hopefully eradicate this gynecological cancer!

I agreed to take part in Dr. Annie Leung’s study with the gynecology-oncology department at the Royal-Victoria hospital that helps with research in cervical cancer screening and prevention. Their work will contribute towards the WHO’s goal to eradicate this cancer.

My goal is to raise $2,500 in support of this study. They have helped me get through this, and now I want to help back, which in turn will help many, many other women.

Also, on September 10th, as I do every year around my birthday, I'm taking part in Velo-Quebec’s bike challenge in the Eastern Townships. I’m aiming to bike between 125 and 137km, as a “F-you” to cancer. I will be wearing a custom bike jersey that will have the name of my fundraising activity and my fundraising goal in hopes of raising awareness and funds while I ride :-)