There's a 69-year-old biking her way across Canada in memory of the daughter she lost to cancer.
Eleanor Regnier's daughter Kelly Cantera died a decade ago at age 31. Regnier thought biking across the country to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society would be a great way to make sure Cantera was remembered.
Cantera died when cancer spread from her breast to her lungs. She chose not to undergo treatment after discovering she was pregnant. She died when her son, Treylin, was 18 months old.
Regnier went on a long-distance bike adventure when her daughter was just 18. The pair set out from their home in North Bay, Ontario to her grandparent's house in southern Ontario, hundreds of miles and several days bike ride away. When they abandoned the trip after one day, Regnier always regretted it.
Kim Labreche, Cantera's sister, is helping her mom's effort today by providing support.
"My mom figured instead of learning to fix her bike on the way or even replace a tire as they wear out, she'd just get three bikes and take turns riding them," said Labreche, who thinks if Eleanor rides between 50 and 70 kilometres a day, the Prince George to North Bay trip will take until September to complete.
The Kelly's Peddlers team is operating without sponsorship and while Regnier and her husband Bill will take care of the expense of a hotel each night, other expenses like gasoline for the support vehicle and food can be paid for by donations. Kelly's Peddlers are asking people to make donations to Scotiabank account 750020528684.
To donate to the cancer cause, all donations can be forwarded in Kelly's Peddlers name at the Canadian Cancer Society.
To check on Regnier's progress, visit facebook page Kelly's Peddlers or e-mail [email protected].
