Drew Blanchette
Age: 31
Occupation: Real Estate for Coldwell Banker Terrequity
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Family: Single
My biggest physical accomplishment(s) to date: Triathlons, Half Marathon, Century Ride.
In the News: 12 day ride to help kids conquer cancer
In the News: Coast to Coast Against Cancer
It’s not about the bike, it’s about the kids!
I have always enjoyed the outdoors and athletics. I have played hockey and soccer for more than two decades. One year ago at the age of 30, I decided to pursue a new challenge. The Triathlon. I began training and completed my first race on June 1st, 2008. What a thrill! At first my goal was to reach the finish line. Now with each successive triathlon, I try to improve some aspect of my race whether my swim, my run, my bike or my overall time. Through this process, I never imagined how much I would enjoy cycling. I am now hooked and enjoy the challenge of pushing myself to try and accomplish new things.
So why the cause of childhood cancer? I have been exposed to childhood cancer all my entire life. My father is a haematologist/oncologist and has been at the Hospital for Sick Children for the last 25 years. His passion, drive and dedication to help those children with cancer and to find a cure have inspired me. I have also had the privilege of volunteering as a camp counselor for 2 weeks last summer at Camp Oochigaes, a summer camp for children with cancer. It was a fantastic and awakening experience. Camp Oochigaes is a magical place that allows kids with cancer to be kids once again. It is here that I witnessed the ultimate form of human spirit: children living happily in spite of severe illness. Through my campers, I learned the true meaning of spirit, determination and courage. I now volunteer at “Ooch on the 8th” bringing a little bit of camp to the children admitted on the cancer ward at SickKids. I am a Big kid at heart and enjoy all my experiences with these special children! These experiences have propelled me to take on this incredible challenge and will inspire me crossing Canada.
With each pedal stroke in training and on the ride I hope to raise awareness and money for this cause so that one day no child will have to hear the words “you have cancer”.
“You have failed only when you fail to try. Act as if it were impossible to fail and it will be” - The motto for Camp Oochigaes
