SPOTLIGHT
Skiing to raise support for families battling cancer
Social responsibility is a pillar of our Communities Forward strategy. A core component of our approach is empowering our regional teams to support the organizations that matter most in their community.
In Quebec, five offices came together to participate in unique ways to support Leucan. For 45 years, Leucan has been a beacon of hope and support for children with cancer and their families.
Leucan, founded in 1978, supports children with cancer and their families across Quebec. With its head office in Montreal and nine regional offices, Leucan provides a wide range of services, including emotional support, massage therapy, recreational activities, school programs, and summer camps. The organization also invests in childhood cancer research and offers financial assistance to families. Leucan’s impact is profound, with 82 percent of children diagnosed with cancer today able to survive and grow, thanks to advancements in clinical research.
In 2006, Leucan started the Leucan Ski Challenge, which now takes place at multiple ski resorts throughout Quebec. The challenge requires teams to raise money and complete a challenging number of runs in a day. Each ski hill has different rules.
Nine team members from our Granby and Cowansville offices took on the course at Ski Bromont. At this challenge, they were required to finish a total of 72 runs. With nearly 700 people in attendance, the event was a heartwarming display of solidarity for children.
For the second consecutive year, MNP’s Mauricie and Drummondville teams joined the challenge at Vallée du Parc. Teams were tasked with completing one ski descent per hour. Beyond the fundraising and racing, team members also set up an MNP booth where kids and adults could pick up colouring books and lip balms.
“Participating in the Ski Leucan Challenge is one of the highlights of winter for me,” says Charles-André Boudreau, MNP Manager, Québec-Centre. “It’s a great opportunity to give back to an important cause, bond with other team members that I might not know that well, and challenge myself with a full day on the hill.”
In another heartening effort, our Sherbrooke office participated in Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie campaign. This fun half-day event involved decorating Smile Cookies and preparing boxes for delivery throughout the region by Leucan employees.
“Leucan means a lot to our community. We’re proud that we’re able to partner with this important organization and make a meaningful, local impact, while having some fun along the way,” explains François Doucet, MNP Partner, Québec-Centre.
Since 2011, over $1.4 million has been donated to Leucan through this Ski Challenge campaign, funding numerous services tailored to the needs of families, including social and recreational activities that aim to ease the feelings of isolation that can come with cancer treatments.
These stories highlight the unwavering commitment of Leucan and MNP’s focus on investing in meaningful community initiatives.