FestiVie: Dragon boat race for charity returns to Aylmer for fourth edition
Sophie Demers
FestiVie is returning to the Aylmer’s Parc des Cèdres this summer on June 20 and 21 for their fourth annual Dragon Boat race to raise money for Fondation Québecoise du Cancer (FQC). This year’s goal: raising $185,000. The event, organized by the FQC is one of their largest annual fundraising events. The event is in collaboration with Outaouais en fête and 22Dragons, a renowned dragon boat club in North America.
Anyone over the age of 16 can participate in this unique experience for a good cause! “This year we're aiming to have 400 participants, which would be a record for FestiVie,” said Sylvette Brière, Directrice or the Centre Regional et Hôtellerie de l’Outaouais with FQC.
Brière explains that the money raised by the event stays in the Outaouais and directly helps those affected by cancer and their loved ones in the area through FMQ’s Hôtellerie de l’Outaouais. According to FMQ, every week there are over 800 cancer treatments provided in Gatineau.
Hôtellerie de l’Outaouais est located at 555 Boulevard de l’Hôpital near the Gatineau Hospital. The Gatineau residential center offers a welcoming, safe and affordable environment for patients and their loved ones to stay during their treatment and recovery. They also offer a variety of treatments and activities for patients such as creative and support workshops, yoga and meditation, kinesiology, massage therapy, physical therapy and foot care.
“We serve people from all over the Outaouais, from Maniwaki, Pontiac, Aylmer, Chelsea, Iles-des-Allumettes,” said Brière. “Approximately 7000 people stay and use our services here in Gatineau.”
How to participate
FestiVie is open to all individuals from friend-groups, business groups, organizations, and weekend athletes. Each participant can register individually and begin the process of fundraising. Closer to the race each participant will be assigned to a boat. Each 12-meter dragon boat inspired by Chinese culture can accommodate up to 20 people.
The first day will consist of training on how to race the boat and the following day the teams will launch their boat into the water for a 200-meter race.
“There are many ways to participate, if you don’t want to be on the boat. We always need donations, volunteers, and spectators,” said Brière.
For more information or to register visit the FestiVie website: www.jedonneenligne.org/fondationquebecoiseducancer/campagne/defidesdragons
FMC is a non-profit organization that supports people affected by cancer by offering services that meet the needs of patients throughout treatment and recovery. They have supported thousands of Quebec residents over the past 45 years.