Donald Teuma-Castelletti
BRISTOL May 12, 2018
Family and friends descended upon a home in Bristol on Saturday morning, taking part in the fifth iteration of a fundraising event.
Hosted by Mike Rusenstrom and his family, the group started at his home and participated in a six-kilometre run, bike or walk, in support of a Shawville resident raising money for their upcoming Ride to Conquer Cancer.
“This started when my dad was diagnosed with cancer five and a half years ago,” explained Rusenstrom. “It was a fundraiser for our team in the Relay for Life, but this year, with there being no relay, we decided to donate the money to Mike Guitard.”
Guitard will be participating in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, a two-day, 200-kilometre bike ride starting in Montreal on July 7. Riding 100 kilometres a day, he’ll arrive in Quebec City by the end of the trip.

“My grandmother died this year from cancer,” said Guitard. “So, because they’re not doing Relay for Life this year, I figured I’d do this.”
The minimum amount raised in order to participate in the ride is $2,500, which Guitard has covered over his efforts leading up to Saturday. The money will go towards supporting the research done on fighting cancer, as well as care for patients, at the Jewish General Hospital, through their Segal Cancer Centre.
With the minimum covered, he was happy to share that the money raised Saturday would put him over the top of his personal fundraising goal.
With nearly 40 in-person participants, Rusenstrom said that his event could expect many more donations, from those unable to join the group that morning.
“We raise, on average, $1,000 each year,” said Rusenstrom. “We may not always have walkers, but then donations continue to come in.”
The route used has generally been an enjoyable jaunt around the block, from their front door on Bristol View Road and back again. This year, however, they changed it up due to some road closures. While they started out on the old route, at the halfway point they would turn back and return on the same path.
However, participants would be greeted by a special water boy at the halfway point, the original inspiration for the event – David Rusenstrom. While David kept everyone hydrated on the sunny day, his wife, Joan Rusenstrom, held down the fort at the house, organizing donations and finishing the paperwork.
Having seen firsthand the impact that cancer has on families, the Rusenstroms were enthusiastic about continuing their support of research through their event.
“The research is important,” added Joan. “Since David had his first stem cell transplant five years ago, doctors said 65-years-old was the maximum age for his treatments. Now, five years later, 72 is the maximum age.”