There's nothing like the sight of nearly 1,000 people – mostly teenagers and many dressed in outlandish costumes – descending on the foyer of a local high school, a trio of bagpipers piping in the procession with a grand bellowing parade march.
That pomp is impressive, yes, but pales next to the circumstance that brings those same marchers to take their places and ride out the final countdown to the launch of the current year's edition of what may be the largest high school fundraiser in Western Canada.
To go through this entire experience without shedding a tear is an impossible task, even for the most Spartan and stoic observer. The ninth annual Bellerose Bike-a-Thon is a groundswell of humanity. It's a harbinger of not only both the high school's open house, but it also heralds in a new wave of the city's youngest, best and brightest as they set forth into the world as participants of altruism en masse.
This year's event consists of about 80 teams totalling almost 800 students. Each team member is required to raise a minimum of $50 which goes to support the Alberta Cancer Foundation and also, for the first time, the Kids with Cancer Society.
Before the first pedal had turned, even before the outlandishly attired students and their accompanying bagpipers had walked the inspiring procession to the school's central auditorium, Bellerose principal George Mentz had some stellar news about the collective fundraising effort.
He announced that pledges had already reached $157,000 and would likely top $160,000 by the time of the final accounting. He had high praise for everyone involved.
"That's up in a huge way," he said while enthusiastically praising the school's community for its go-getter attitude to always strive for greater gains. "They're not satisfied with the bare minimum. I don't know where they found the money. They have done it on their own with the support of local businesses and friends and family. It's amazing!"
This whopping figure comes even after last year's landmark achievement of $129,000. To improve on fundraising by $30,000 in only one season is truly remarkable. It was only a few years ago the event was raising $40,000 a year. By comparison, the first year's donation was about $10,000.
The group's achievement was celebrated back in 2008 when the Association of Fundraising Professionals, which fosters the development of fundraising and promotes high ethical behaviour for fundraising professionals, named Bellerose the outstanding volunteer fundraising group.
Mentz, still standing in the lobby, said that this is a comment not just on the students' formidable skills in persuasion but more so to the sense of satisfaction in accomplishing their own goals.
"I'm absolutely proud! If you went into the gym right now, you would see the kids doing what has to be done. They know they have to do this and this and this, and they follow through. They take ownership."
This, according to him, is all that he could ever ask to see in future leaders and productive members of society.
Rolling thunder
With everyone in their positions, the assembled mass counted down to the start of the 48-hour adventure in adrenalin and stamina. The rumble of the stationary bikes was elating, especially after the sombre ceremony with some emotional speeches and presentations about loved ones lost to cancer.
Mentz revealed that one student had asked him if she could spread the ashes of a friend on the school grounds. Even though that person wasn't an alumnus of the school, he wanted three of his friends to take one-third of his cremated remains each and distribute them somewhere that mattered the most to each of them.
It was clear from observing those in attendance that they didn't take this event as a chance to miss school or have fun wearing wigs and capes. They understood that what they were doing was important.
Certainly the money will be put to good use. The Kids with Cancer Society provides vital services to children with cancer and their families from the time of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. The Alberta Cancer Foundation intends to use its portion of the proceeds (approximately $100,000) to help purchase a new piece of technology called a Linac-SR.
The organization's fundraising event specialist, Charissa Spencer, explained the purpose of the device invented by Dr. Gino Fallone of the Cross Cancer Institute.
"It's a machine that can take a MRI of a patient and deliver radiation to a tumour simultaneously. Essentially, doctors can see a tumour and treat it in real time, which has never been done before in the world. It's very, very exciting for everyone here."
The cost of the first phase of the Linac-SR is $16 million but all funds donated get matched three to one by federal and provincial governments as well as private industry. Spencer praised the Bellerose Bike-a-Thoners for doing their part to provide superlative health care to their fellow Albertans.
"The kids are amazing. They're so inspiring, every single year."
