Every year, the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau is made possible by hundreds of cyclists, volunteers, and donors who choose to advance research on pediatric cancers. At the heart of this massive effort are the children whose stories give the event its true meaning.
This year, meet our five Heroes and Heroines: Samy, Xavier, Théodore, Jayden, and Madeleine. Each of them has their own unique journey, personality, and dreams. Beyond the treatments and hospital appointments, they are, above all, children who love to play, laugh, learn, create, and enjoy time with their families.
Their stories remind us why the Tour has been around for 30 years now. Thanks to the efforts of an entire community, research is advancing, treatments are evolving, and care continues to improve for children with cancer throughout Quebec.
Discover their stories.
Samy, age 4
Samy is a curious, energetic little boy who loves to play, run, and come up with adventures inspired by the Paw Patrol.
A hero of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, Samy stands out for his boundless imagination and love of play. Whether it’s an impromptu game of hockey, a superhero mission, or a race with his brother Zack, he finds a thousand ways to have fun and keep smiling.
In November 2024, his parents noticed unusual lumps on his upper body. After several weeks of waiting and consultations, the diagnosis came in January 2025: B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Treatment began quickly, plunging the entire family into a new reality.
Since then, Samy has been undergoing regular treatments, including chemotherapy and follow-up appointments at the Charles-Bruneau Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval. This journey comes with its share of challenges: frequent trips, fatigue, and sometimes difficult moments, far from daycare and his friends.
But Samy isn’t alone. Thanks to the Charles-Bruneau Foundation’s “Projet Vie,” he has access to invaluable support that makes a real difference in his daily life: age-appropriate activities, professional support, and playtime that allow him to remain, above all, a child.
Despite everything, he continues to move forward with wonderful spontaneity. What he loves most is being surrounded by his family, playing with his brother, and living each moment to the fullest. What is he most proud of? Of himself when he goes to the hospital. And he’s absolutely right!
Samy and his family would like to thank everyone taking part in the CIBC Charles-Bruneau Tour. Your commitment helps provide children like him with care, support, and concrete initiatives that transform their daily lives.
To watch his video, cliquez ici.
Xavier, age 12
Xavier is a curious young boy who loves reading and building with LEGO just as much as he loves going on adventures—whether it’s camping or fishing.
A hero of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, Xavier stands out for his sense of humor and his endearing personality. Always ready to make people laugh, he loves to clown around and enjoy simple moments surrounded by the people he loves.
It all began with a migraine that, at first, seemed harmless. But thanks to his doctor’s vigilance, a worrying sign was detected. A blood test, some exams—and within a few hours, the family was thrust into a new reality: a diagnosis of acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia.
Since then, Xavier has been undergoing treatment with determination. He visits the Charles-Bruneau Pediatric Oncology Unit at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS every week and is about to begin a new phase of his treatment plan. Little by little, his visits will become less frequent, and he’ll be able to regain some sense of normalcy, such as returning to school.
Through it all, Xavier has held onto what defines him best: his good humor and his ability to see the positive. Proud of how far he’s come, he continues to move forward with quiet strength.
Passionate about animals and insects, he dreams of becoming a biologist to better understand and study them. And if he could have a superpower, it would be to make anything he wishes for appear.
Xavier and his family would like to thank everyone taking part in the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau. Your involvement helps provide children like him with the best possible care and transforms their daily lives.
To watch his introductory video, cliquez ici.
Théodore, age 12
Théodore is passionate about math and brain teasers, and he enjoys solving Sudoku puzzles just as much as playing the piano.
A hero of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, Théodore stands out for his curiosity and sharp mind. A fan of board games and “mental” challenges, he’s the type who’d rather spend an evening with his family playing a game than a busy day outdoors.
After several years of searching for the cause of his symptoms, the diagnosis finally came in June 2025: a germ cell tumor. It was an emotional moment, but also one of relief at finally being able to put a name to what he was going through and take action.
What followed was a journey marked by numerous appointments, tests, and treatments at the Charles-Bruneau Cancer Centre at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, as well as abroad. Théodore had to miss school on several occasions and even spend time away from his family to receive his care. Despite everything, he navigated each stage with determination and a remarkable attitude.
Now in remission, he continues his medical follow-ups and looks to the future with confidence. Proud of how far he’s come, he keeps smiling and continues to pursue what drives him: learning, understanding, and pushing himself.
When he’s not immersed in numbers or at the piano, Théodore dreams of attending a Canadiens game and meeting his favorite players, like Suzuki. Later on, he’d like to become an accountant so he can do math all day long.
To everyone taking part in the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, Théodore would like to say thank you. Your commitment helps advance treatments and prevents other children from having to go through these hardships far from their loved ones.
To watch his video, cliquez ici.
Jayden, age 10
Jayden is a big fan of soccer and making rubber band bracelets, and is currently undergoing treatment for type B acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
A hero of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, Jayden brings contagious energy wherever he goes. To spot him, look for the kid who loves to be active, play outside, and never says no to a game at the village rink with his friends.
In March 2024, everything changed for the family. Jayden was diagnosed with leukemia and quickly began treatment at the Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center at CHU Sainte-Justine. Since then, his daily life has been marked by hospital visits, frequent trips, and treatment-related side effects.
It’s been a challenging journey. Between chemotherapy and complications—including severe pancreatitis that required a long hospital stay and specialized care—Jayden has had to adapt to a new reality. Even today, he must take digestive enzymes with every meal and cope with the disease’s impact on his daily life. What he found most difficult was missing school and not being able to see his friends.
Despite everything, Jayden still embodies what defines him best: his deep attachment to his family, his love of playing and staying active, and his great generosity. In fact, what he loves most in the world is being surrounded by his loved ones.
When he grows up, he’d like to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a telecommunications technician so he can climb ladders and work in a cherry picker as part of his job.
Jayden and his family would like to thank everyone taking part in the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau. Your involvement helps advance treatments and, day after day, transform the lives of children like him.
To watch his video, cliquez ici.
Madeleine, age 4
Meet Madeleine, age 4, a creative little girl bursting with energy who loves to dance, sing, and make up all kinds of stories.
As the heroine of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, Madeleine stands out with her colorful world and bubbly personality. She loves to create, move around, and laugh—but what makes her laugh the most are her dad’s characters.
In March 2025, it all began with persistent back pain. After several tests, a call from the pediatrician changed everything: they had to go to the hospital immediately. A few hours later, she was diagnosed with type B acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Since then, her daily life has been marked by cycles of treatment at the Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center at CHU Sainte-Justine. Every week, Madeleine returns to the hospital for her care, which includes chemotherapy, follow-ups, and tests. It’s a demanding reality, one she navigates with a resilience that impresses everyone around her.
Madeleine is also a child who continues to savor life’s little moments: a day at the beach, spaghetti with her family, dancing to a Bad Bunny song, and the pride she feels in accomplishing—one day at a time—tasks that sometimes seem so simple.
She dreams of traveling again with her parents and, later on, of becoming a doctor to care for others. Through it all, one thing remains at the center of her world: her family, which she loves more than anything else in the world.
Madeleine and her loved ones would like to thank everyone taking part in the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau. Your commitment makes a real difference in the lives of children like her.
To watch her video, cliquez ici.
Behind each of these journeys lies a unique story, but we’re united by a common goal: to give children with cancer the best chance at recovery.
By taking part in the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, you’re doing much more than just riding kilometers. You’re helping to advance research on pediatric cancers, support the development of better treatments, and transform the daily lives of children and families across Quebec.
To Samy, Xavier, Théodore, Jayden, Madeleine, and all the children who inspire this great effort, thank you for reminding us, year after year, why we ride.
Have a great Tour, everyone!
