Kayaking for Cancer started with a small group of 17 people that hated the feeling of helplessness living with cancer in our lives. Kevin Dionne decided he wanted to do something to show he cared. He suggested a kayaking trip from Kingston to Ottawa up the Rideau Canal recognizing the link between the hospital that supported his Mom (Kingston) and the one his father in law Ron was being supported by (in Ottawa). Initially it was a simple idea with a few participants but quickly grew since many of our friends and family are impacted by this disease and felt just as helpless as us. Over a few months it started to morph into a fundraising event - “Kayaking for Cancer”. We launched our kayaks in Kingston on Tuesday July 24, 2001, with a crew of 17 paddlers and a road crew composed of supportive parents and other relatives. It is funny to think back to all we didn’t know when we started that morning. Each bend in the river, lock, or large body of water was new, but we persisted and finished the trip in 6 very long days (the trip is now 8 days).
Many have asked how this event has lasted for 25 years. It’s because we are a K4C family. All who paddle are there for their own reasons. Some are there to remember someone they have lost, or they are supporting someone with cancer, or they are celebrating a survivor. We have even had paddlers join us while battling cancer – some are now survivors and sadly some we lost. Whatever the reason, we are all there to hold each other up. Paddling 202 kilometers is not easy, the weather doesn’t always cooperate, and everyone will have some hard times, but it is in those times that they will lean on the team. Paddlers come and go as life happens and we have new paddlers every year but on day one, when the paddles hit the water, they are family.
What means the most is that we are making a difference in the battle against Cancer. One of the many chants or mantras that keep us going on those long days is - we paddle to show those with cancer we care and to never forget those we have lost.
Since the beginning of the event, we have been able to fund the event on participant fees and amazing sponsors. Several sponsors have provided meals, trucks/vans, kayaks, support boats, and more since the event began and a team of volunteers provides support providing meals, setting up, tearing down camp, and moving it all from place to place. This allows us to direct 100% of donations to the Canadian Cancer Society. This will be our biggest effort at fundraising ever, but we are confident with your support we can reach the $1 million objective for our 25th Kayaking for Cancer paddle. Our 2025 goal is $122,000!
