Jean Cote residents participating in the Ride To Conquer Cancer

Marilyne Simard (picture far right) will be biking 200 km in the Ride To Conquer Cancer with her daughters Kim (far left) and Tammy (peaking between her parents shoulders). Also pictured is daughter Misty and husband Gerry. The women are hoping to raise $18,000 between the six members on their team.

Emily Plihal
Express staff

A family from Jean Cote will be participating in the annual Ride To Conquer Cancer.

Marilyne Simard, who also owns Kymista Hair Salon in McLennan, will be biking 200 km with her daughters Kym and Tammy from June 26 – 28. The ride begins in Calgary and ends in the Rocky Mountains.

Marilyne’s mission to help raise money for cancer began when she was diagnosed with her own bout of breast cancer in March 2002.

“I underwent a mastectomy and followed with Chemotherapy,” says Marilyne. “I am celebrating six years cancer free on March 28.”

Marilyne explains she joined the clinical trial department at the Cross Cancer Institute after her chemotherapy treatment.

“Cancer has touched each and every one of us in one way or another,” says Marilyne. “Every day you hear of someone else diagnosed with some form of cancer. I, like everyone else figure by now they should’ve found a cure with all the money that has been donated. But until you’ve been there and lived through it, you really have no idea.”

Marilyne’s battle with breast cancer has prompted her daughters to bike with her for the entire 200 km to try to prevent others from having to live through cancer treatment.

“You get a whole new outlook on life when it affects you directly,” she says. “Give someone you love a chance. We are riding for us and for you.”

The Simard women are requesting donations for their ride. All riders participating in the event are supporting the breakthrough research and discovery of new cancer therapies at Alberta Cancer Foundation.

With one in three Canadians diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, the women are rallying for the cause and cycling in The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Kym, Tammy, Marilyne, McLennan resident Diane Fraser and two other teammates have set a team goal to raise an astonishing $18,000.

You can help them make this goal a reality by visiting www.conquercancer.ca to make a donation or to learn more about participating in the event. You can also call 1-888-624-2453.

This is the first ride for cancer event in Alberta. Riders will be supported by hundreds of volunteers and crew members, who will provide them with essentials on their trip.

Tammy has decided to raise money for leukemia, Kym and Marilyne will both be raising funds for childhood cancer.

Marilyne has been participating every other year in the breast cancer run every other year in October. She has been a motivation and inspiration for many people throughout the region who have battled cancer, are battling cancer, or have had to see a family member battle the life-threatening disease.

Her determination to help raise funds has even sent the beautiful hairdresser to shaving her head to raise money for the disease.

Please help the Simard women by donating to their ambitious attempt to bike 200 km from Calgary to the Rocky Mountains.

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