Dedications - back

Dedicated To: Alexandra
Dedicated By: Mom
Age: 10 years old

"I'm so lucky 'cause I only got Cancer". That's what my 10-year old daughter, Alexandra, used to say, as her and I sat in the lobby of Sick Children's Hospital.

Alexandra used to love watching the parapalegic children enter the hospital for their daily treatments.

I think back now, and wonder to myself: My God, how differently children view the world and their own challenges as contrasted with adults. What Alexandra meant was: I'm going to get better, and those children, confined to wheelchairs, are probably not.

Alexandra was a most beautiful humanitarian and who was loved on the Cancer Ward. She was diagnosed with Leukemia when she turned 7 years old. The next four years were horrendous as she faced chemotherapy, radiation, 12 surgeries, a relapse and a bone marrow transplant.

It was agonizing for me to watch my beautiful, bright, courageous daughter struggle with the ravages of this disease. She has taught me how to be brave and how to continue to walk tall, despite the numerous setbacks that life can throw your way.

No one is immune to the hardships in life. Not one of us will get through life without losing someone we love dearly from this vengeful cancer.

I wanted so desperately to trade places with her; to spare her from the suffering and the pain she endured, constantly. I would have moved heaven and earth to change the outcome of losing her, but I couldn't.

In hindsight, I realize that she was set upon this earth for a much higher purpose than I could possiby have imagined.

When I think about all of you who are cycling for these families with cancer, I get a huge lump in my chest. It takes courage to move forward, to ride hard and build hope for those who will follow in our footsteps.

I will be riding in the Ride For Karen, supporting the dreams of Karen, and her incredibly courageous family. It's occurred to me that Karen and my daughter, Alexandra will probably be sitting on a white picket fence, looking down at the beautiful, colourful jerseys of the cyclists, laughing, "Which way should be blow the wind today?" !!!!!!

God Bless each cyclist and the beautiful family and friends they are cycling in honour of!

Louisa Cantelon