Betty Riel Foundation Annual Walk-a-Thon

For a 13th year, walkers congregated in Prince-Arthur Park in Huntingdon on the first Saturday in June for the annual Betty Riel Foundation Walk-a-Thon to raise funds to cover the transportation costs for residents of the Haut-Saint-Laurent undergoing cancer treatments. And while there may have been a few less walkers than in previous years, this year’s edition of the Walk-a-Thon was likely one of the largest in terms of funds raised, estimates Betty Riel, who notes people unable to join in the walk had been arriving at her doorstep throughout the week leading up to walk to drop off their donations. “This year it has been amazing how people are giving in memory of someone who has passed away,” says Betty, suggesting this demonstrates how important the work of the Foundation remains within the community. “We provided 725 trips last year,” she says of the partnership with S.A.B.E.C. that sees all funds raised entrusted to the not-for-profit to provide 13 trips to cancer patients. For Betty, and many of the walkers this year, the walk took place in memory of Noëlla Tremblay, a long-time collaborator with the Betty Riel Foundation who passed away just the day before the walk. “Helping each other is clearly what we are supposed to be doing on this earth,” insists Betty, with steadfast conviction. “This will help so many.” Up next for the Betty Riel Foundation is the annual triathlon, set to take place on August 25. Still months away, teams looking to sign up for the event are encouraged to begin fundraising and to contact the Foundation. [caption id="attachment_48821" align="alignnone" width="521"] Esther Cavanagh donated a cheque for $1,000 in memory of her daughter, Patricia, to the Betty Riel Foundation on Saturday during the annual Walk-a-thon. (Photo Sarah Rennie)[/caption]