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Kayaking for Cancer began twenty-five years ago in 2001. A small group of people, with Kevin Dionne as leader and visionary, decided they wanted to participate in the fight against cancer by doing something significant for family and friends who were battling this devastating disease. Kevin's mission was to find a way to show support, but also a bond of togetherness to combat the feelings of helplessness associated with cancer. Kevin brainstormed the (kind of crazy!) idea of kayaking the 202 kilometers of the Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa -- recognizing the link between the Kingston General Hospital and the Ottawa Hospital, KGH supporting his mom Ann, and OH supporting his father-in-law Ron, in their respective cancer care and treatments.
Initially, it was a small-scale idea with a handful of participants but quickly grew into a larger group of family and friends with similar motivation and wanting to take part. Over a few months it morphed into a non-profit fundraising event “Kayaking for Cancer” or "K4C", with all donations going to the Canadian Cancer Society.
We first launched our kayaks near the Kingston General Hospital on Tuesday, July 24, 2001. On this maiden voyage, there were seventeen paddlers and a road crew comprised of supportive parents, siblings, spouses, children, and many other family and friends. It's funny to think back now to all that we didn’t know when we first launched that morning. Every bend in the river, each lock and large body of water was new and unchartered for our group, but we persisted and finished the trip in six very long days (the trip is now completed in eight days).
Many people have asked how this event has lasted for 25 years. It’s because we are a K4C family. Each person who paddles or volunteers is there for their own reasons. Some are there to remember someone they have lost, or supporting someone with cancer, or celebrating a survivor. We've even had paddlers join us while battling cancer -- some are now survivors and sadly some we have lost to the disease. Whatever the reason, we are all there to hold each other up. Paddling 202 kilometers is not easy, the weather doesn’t always cooperate, and everyone will have some hard times, but it is in those times that we lean on each other. Paddlers come and go as life happens and we have new paddlers every year, but on Day 1 when the paddles hit the water, WE ARE ALL FAMILY.
But what means the most is that we are MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST CANCER. One of the many chants or mantras that keep us going on those long days is that we paddle to show those with cancer we care and to never forget those we have lost.
Since the beginning of K4C, we've funded the event on participant fees and the support of our amazing sponsors. Our sponsors have provided meals, trucks/vans, kayaks, support boats and so much more since the event began. A team of tireless volunteers is always there supporting the paddlers -- coordinating meals, setting up and tearing down camp, then moving it all from place-to-place each day. This allows us to direct 100% of our donations to the Canadian Cancer Society.
2025 is our 25th anniversary year and we've set a BIG GOAL -- up to this year we've raised $878,000 and we hope to FUNDRAISE $122,000 THIS YEAR so we can reach a 25-year fundraising target of $1 MILLION for the Canadian Cancer Society. This is our most ambitious fundraising target ever, but we are confident with your support we can do it! Thank you to everyone for your donations and support! LET'S DO THIS!
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