Tour de la Vallee, a cycling event that benefits the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund, has broken fundraising records for two years in a row. This year, the event is returning with new additions and, according to organizers, is on track to meet or exceed previous fundraising records.
The fund was established in 1978 and helps local families visit loved ones receiving cancer treatment at distant facilities with travel and lodging expenses. The fund is administered by Northern Maine Medical Center and the hospital’s Paradis Cancer Fund Board primarily organizes the tour.
The Tour de la Vallee last year raised $46,375, breaking the previous year’s record-breaking total of $31,300.
Organizers in 2023 expanded the event to include a route for people on ATVs and motorcycles, and also for runners. Each route has rest stops with water, fruit and snacks.
The event is set for July 26 and will be the 35th annual Tour de la Vallee. This year’s tour will feature another addition, “A Night of Giving,” which will be at the Lonesome Pine Trails resort. The evening addition begins at 5 p.m. with a social hour, dinner at 6 p.m. and live music from Marionette at 6 p.m. The event also features a silent auction and guest speaker from The Dempsey Center, a cancer care and support center based in Lewiston.
Tickets for the evening festivities are $40 and will benefit the cancer fund.
Macey Thibodeau, Chair of the Tour de la Vallee committee, said that “A Night of Giving” was added to give participants time to finish their route, go home for a few hours, and then come back out later that night for food and live music. It also lets people otherwise unable to participate in the race support the cancer fund.
“The idea behind ‘A Night of Giving’ is to allow for our community to come together to show their support, enjoy a relaxing evening and make a meaningful impact,” Thibodeau said.
The tour itself will also be centered at Lonesome Pine Trails this year.
Nichole Jandreau, director of primary care and marketing at Northern Maine Medical Center, said that the event was originally held outside the hospital, but later moved to the Lion’s Pavilion to accommodate growing participants.
“We chose to move to Lonesome Pine Trails this year to allow for more parking, access to indoor facilities, and a more central starting point along the Heritage Trail where many of our biking routes are based,” Jandreau said. “This location also reduces the need to cross busy roads and will better ensure safety for all Tour de la Vallee participants.”
The event will also include activities for children, with a bouncy house at Lonesome Pine Trails on the morning of the event and a “Cycle in Character” ride, where kids can dress up and ride. This year, the kids ride takes young participants to the Fort Kent Elementary School playground where they can participate in activities including an obstacle course.
Jandreau said that, as of June 30, the fund has provided over $1.68 million in support to local cancer patients and their families. It has helped over 1,700 families throughout the region.
“This incredible milestone is a testament to the generosity of our community and the continued need for support as patients travel far from home for treatment,” she said.
Anyone interested in registering can visit paradiscancerfund.org or pick up a brochure at NMMC. The hospital also offers tickets for the silent auction for $40 each. Anyone interested in more information about the evening event can contact Thibodeau at 207-834-1411 or at macey.thibodeau@nmmc.org.
