MONTREAL, June 2, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Accompanied by Sophie Thibault, close to a hundred participants got together on Saturday and raised more than $110 000 in the Tournée de l'espoir – Motorcycling for Monique and Sophie Thibault with the goal of helping the 20,000 Quebecers with multiple sclerosis, that typically Canadian disease. The success of this fifth edition brings the amount raised since the event was launched to over half a million dollars.
Sophie Thibault, spokesperson and initiator of the event, is very proud of the progress made since the first Tournée de l'espoir. "It warms my heart every year to see how many people take part in the event and raise money to help the thousands of people living with multiple sclerosis, as my mother did for over fifty years. In the last five years, the Tournée de l'espoir has given me a chance to ride over 1,500 km with some dedicated motorcyclists who are just as determined to end MS as I am. I would like to thank all the participants who have made this day unforgettable!"
Minister Robert Poëti was on hand for the occasion. "I'm proud to support the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, as I have for many years now. This event has become particularly meaningful to me since I was appointed Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Montreal region. Motorcycling is more than just a way to get around; it's also a recreational activity that allows people to see Quebec differently. Congratulations to all the participants for making this event such a big success!"
This year, the Tournée de l'espoir presented participants with a route almost 300 kilometres long, giving them a chance to discover some of the loveliest roads in Quebec as they visited the magnificent Lanaudière and Mauricie regions, ending up in the pretty town of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, whose citizens gave them a rousing welcome.
The MS Society would like to thank its generous partners, without whom the event would not have been such a success: Québecor, Harley Davidson Montréal and Moto Internationale, CIBC, and RNC Média.
Multiple sclerosis
Canada has the highest incidence of multiple sclerosis in the world. MS is the most widespread neurological disease affecting young adults in our country, where more than 100,000 people have the disease. It is generally diagnosed in people aged 15 to 40 years old, and its unpredictable effects last a lifetime. We still do not know the cause and no cure for this disease has yet been found. However, Canada can be proud of being a leader in MS research, and several promising research projects now under way give reason for hope.
SOURCE Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Image with caption: "The participants of the Tournée de l’espoir raised more than $ 110 000 with the goal of helping the 20,000 Quebecers with multiple sclerosis. The success of this fifth edition brings the amount raised since the event was launched to over half a million dollars. (CNW Group/Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150602_C6321_PHOTO_EN_17419.jpg
Gabrielle Granger, Communications Coordinator, MS Society, 514 849?7591, ext. 2240, 1 800 268?7582 (toll-free in Quebec), [email protected]
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