we are all connected

A review of the Move for Life1600km relay by Jillian Best

Like having a transplant, it took a team for this incredible relay to happen.

It wouldn’t have become what it was, without a team of people, sharing their knowledge and energy.

The baton that was passed from each athlete taking part in the relay represents more than just the connection of each city that we travelled through across 1600 kilometres. Carrying the baton gave the feeling of responsibility, and connection for the greater good for each person who carried it.

No one wanted to be the one to lose the baton…it had travelled so far around the province! Each person who carried it took great responsibility to ensure it got to the next person, so they could have a turn.

Isn’t this the way organ donation should be, too?

Shouldn’t we strive to take care of our organs, our selves, mentally and physically, and not just for our own health, but for the greater good? So we can show up for each other in the best way?

Less strain on the hospital and health system, and the bonus is that you can share your organs one day…and improve the life of someone else. Let me correct myself, you can save someone else’s life…up to 8 lives.

The baton we passed represents the shared energy, and passing life from one person to another.  

I was fortunate to spend the 6 days of the relay on one of the travelling RV’s.

With Sylvie and Andre behind the wheel, I had all the confidence that we were going to have a great, organized and fun trip.

There was a second RV, driven by Sylvie and Andre’s friends, Manon and Yvan.  Wonderful, generous and I must say adventurous people, as they agreed to tag along on this long and somewhat crazy journey around Ontario. Also considering they’re from Montreal, I’d say that’s pretty awesome.

The two RV’s took turns taking the lead on the relay, directing the teams through their segments. Because the relay was 24/7, sometimes our sleep was short, and often didn’t get into a bed before midnight. 

Can you imagine, planning a 1600km road trip? And I’m not just talking about driving from one city to the next.  Each turn, each bend in the road, each distance between the turns, the quality of the roads (is it smooth enough for a road bike, or rollerblades) was all accounted for.  

I couldn’t have imagined it either…but Sylvie could.  She took on that challenge of planning the route, and driving it all beforehand, so we knew what we were getting into.  This aspect of the relay seemed astronomical to me, but that’s what makes us such a strong team.  We each shine in our own unique ways and our strengths together created something that some might think impossible.

Starting out Monday August 1st, Dr. Mayur Brahmania’s team left London as a group, walking 5km west, in the direction of out of town! 

There was rain in the forecast this evening, and we hoped it wouldn’t impede the progress of the relay, especially on day one!  

Well, the rain came about 80km into the relay and surely we thought that Hank who was currently on his bike, would sit out until it passed.  It was actually pouring, and we were surprised to see he didn’t stop, or even slow down through the rain.

This honestly set the tone for the remainder of the relay.  It became obvious to me that the participants on each of the 10 teams were so dedicated to doing their part.  Whether it was a physical challenge, mental challenge, or they were there to support the cause, every single person brought their best attitude and ended up wanting to do more.

Getting through the night in the dark seemed like a big challenge before I had seen what it looked like.  

Crissy Pastorius and her team made it look easy.  Segment two began late that night, leaving from a Walmart parking lot in Wallaceburg.  They had their bikes well lit, support vehicles with 4 ways flashing in front and behind the cyclists, and many full coolers of snacks!

Crissy had her team well organized, and excited to make fun stops along the way, whether it was creating fun videos and photos for social media to share, stopping for ice cream after riding bikes all night long, or riding dragons, her team seemed to have had some of the most fun of the whole relay. 

Team two finished in Kingsville, where the Move for Life team took the reins. 

Brad Tilson (our Move for Life treasurer) and his son Logan jumped on their bikes together to kick off this segment.  Brad’s excitement and enthusiasm never died.  As dedicated as he was to help organize and plan the relay, he brought that energy on the road. 

As we travelled towards St. Thomas as a team, Andre, Sylvie, Grey and I had took turns on our bikes. 

The country side long Lake Erie was just beautiful, and I must say, really great roads for cyclists.  Smooth and long, it’s safe to say we each loved our time on the road and how fun it was to do this together as a team.  Grey proved to us that a 1 speed bike is as good as any. 

Brad came back to lead his team of family and friends through segment 4. I’ve never seen so much energy from a group about to cycle all night long, beginning at 11pm!  

When they said they would be salsa dancing for part of the relay I had my doubts…I thought, will they actually have energy for that?  

Yes they did.  This team was cycling, and walking all night, and finished altogether as a big group, singing and dancing as they finished and it totally warmed my heart.  It also gave me the energy and motivation I needed to lead my team through segment 5! At this point in time, my sleep was minimal, but ambitions were high.

My team and I gathered in the parking lot of the Henry of Pelham Winery.

My mom Bonnie and Jim began the segment cycling through the vineyards, while Jumbo, Vanessa, Jackie, Jo and I patiently waited our turns to hop on our bikes.  After spending a few days watching others cycle, run, sweat and feeling so good about their accomplishments, I was SO ready to move.

After about 27km, we arrived at Queens Royal Park. I was adamant that we visited the plaque - this is the monument that stands in the park, bearing the names of all who have successfully swam across Lake Ontario. 

It had been exactly a year to this day, that I began my swim across the lake, from that very park.  It was special for me to be back there with my mom and a few of my friends to reminisce that memory.

Onwards, Vanessa put on her roller blades to begin a 37km ride.  I had never seen wheels on blades that big before, and I understand why, now.  

Vanessa (my friend who paced my Lake Ontario Swim) is a badass on rollerblades. She could handle any terrain that the bikes were on. It is safe to say her speed and skills on her skates impressed the whole team. 

We cycled and rollerbladed our way into the wind and around the western side of Lake Ontario, until we reached Burlington.  It was a really hot day, and we were grateful for the breeze but only wished it was at our backs! 

We had intended to get in the water at Burlington beach so we could swim 3km east towards Oakville.  Unfortunately, there was a huge storm cloud rolling in and over top of us, and so we sided with safety and decided it wasn’t the smartest idea.  We continued on bikes along the waterfront trail to Oakville.  This is where Jumbo (who had been supporting us all along in the truck, making sure we were safe) and I got to run 7km together.

At this point in time, the air was heavy, humid and it was about 11pm. Needless to say this was past my bedtime and I was tired but somehow I managed to keep up with Jumbo, even as he ran backwards to “take a break” when he seemed to speed up.

It was dark, and we were nearing Brampton, the city our segment finished in.  With Vanessa and Jumbo staying close to us in the truck, the rest of us continued on our bikes through Brampton to finish at a Shoppers Drug Mart parking lot, where our other transplant warrior awaited.  Grey Brett was ready to go, to begin segment 6 through the night!  He and his partner Laura who would be supporting him on the bike looked ready. Excited.

Grey had another transplant recipient on his team as well.  Jeremy, who had received a heart transplant, walked and ran 10km.  

Through this night, our RV took rest in the RV as the other took over. We received updates through the group chat as his team flew through the segment, purposely splashing in puddles and transplant recipients sharing stories. Grey’s team name was “The Greatness Chasers”. Sylvie, Andre and I shared a laugh because we believe they weren’t chasing greatness, they had it all along.  His team also had two impressively fast cyclists that I had the pleasure of meeting- Paolina and Kim, who finished their segment in Wasaga Beach.

I’ve not seen so many tired people still so pumped up in my life. 

Waiting so patiently to get on the bike for one of the longest segments of 182km, was Team Kidney Beans! Kidney Transplant recipient Tony and his wife Gen, along with a new local friend Doug, tackled this distance on their bikes, up and down hills through this beautiful area of Ontario.  

Lynne, who had ran half a marathon just a few days prior in segment 1, cycled next to Doug.  The high energy continued, and everyone had fun with the name of the next meeting spot, “Cheap Smokes” -  a small cigarette store just a stones throw away from Sauble Beach. 

The evening was beautiful and hot.  Tony, Gen, Doug and Lynne didn’t seem bothered by the heat, but were so grateful for the experience.

We made our way to an LCBO parking lot in Markdale ahead of schedule, where we had time to enjoy a spaghetti meal prepared by Sylvie.  This was a memory I’ll not forget.  Sometimes the most simple things make for the most memorable experiences. Camp chairs set up in a parking lot with amazing company, a beautiful sunset and a delicious meal together after a long few days outside made us all smile.

Shortly after our dinner, in rolled the Road Warriors, music pumping, with a new and needed kind of energy.  They were sporting moustaches, all fired up on donuts and red bull. My husband Zach was the leader of this team, and I must say he chose his team wisely.  Sarah, Marc, Cory and Kyle had a well organized plan to challenge themselves, cycle fast and have silly fun together and they accomplished it all.

This was one of the shorter segments at 144km, but by far had the most hills. To our surprise at 6am in the morning, we found ourselves 6 hours ahead of schedule when they finished! 

This was a blessing in disguise as it allowed us to catch some much needed Z’s before the last two teams hit the road to finish the relay.  

Benoit’s Team, Super Kidney was to take over next.  Benoit, another grateful 2x kidney recipient had a hot day ahead of them. 

Our friend David, Sylvie, Andre, Yvan and Benoit took turns cycling and running first through the busy and hot city of Kitchener up and down hills, through quaint little Stratford where David had a friends and family cheering squad.

After another stretch through gorgeous terrain, the team finished in Clinton with lots of laughs, and having sweat through multiple t-shirts.

It was now dark again, and the last evening we would spend on this nearly week long adventure of the 1600km relay.  

The last team of the relay was made up of a few people who were asked last minute to participate, as our original team for this section was not able to participate just a few weeks before the relay began.  The people who were asked to jump in, did so without hesitation and expressed their interest to join in again the next time we do something like this.  

This showed me the excitement that people had towards being part of this huge, crazy journey around our province, and supporting the cause.  Warren who led off this segment and did most of the km’s through the night in the dark was a new friend of the Move for Life team, and we quickly learned that he cycles 1000km a month!

We were grateful to have found Warren as his speed, and energy on the last segment was needed when the rest of the team (or maybe I should speak for myself!) was feeling the weight of the many kilometres travelled all week long.  This, however didn’t stop Brad, Juan and Mai from segment 4, or Sylvie from jumping back in for more time on their bikes. 

It was the Move for Life communications and social media person Daniel, who cycled the last 20km of the relay into London on August 6th, right on schedule. 

A big smile on his face when he began his ride and the same big smile when he finished.  

A group of us met in the parking lot at Masonville mall where we would walk to the University Hospital, where the relay began.  This was the official finish.

Mixed emotions washed over me as the relay came to a close.

Having the opportunity to speak to the media and share our journey was icing on the cake.  It felt good to share our message with the city of London as I felt that we had done something new, and unthinkable.

We had organized this huge event, and not only pulled off the physical challenges, but raised a really decent chunk of money- $70,000!

Similar to my swim across Lake Ontario, there is relief that it’s been done and done successfully.  But there is also a touch of sadness that it’s over, and looking forward to the next event will be a while.

As important as the journey itself, we talked to many people along the way about what we were doing.

Personally, I made a point not to be shy about talking about the significance of the 1600km relay.

One morning at Tim Hortons, I spoke with the barista about our event.  I told her about the relay and that I was a liver transplant recipient.

She cried as I told her this…she lost her father 7 years prior and donated his organs.  She thanked me for telling her about the relay and for creating awareness around organ donation.  She said that hearing from a grateful  recipient who wanted to give back, reassured her that she made the right decision with her dad.

Finishing the event with my Move for Life team, hospital staff, seeing friends and family show up at the finish and meeting new people who wanted to share in a small part of it made me feel so fulfilled.  

It was as if the collective time and energy put into the relay could fuel a rocket ship. 

I’ll admit, there is a void now that the relay is over.  Many thanks for giving reflections on writing and videos still to share, but even after two years of incredible fundraising and awareness spread, I don’t feel our mission is complete.  There is still work to do, and there are many more ways in which we can improve our organ donation systems in Canada.  

I’m not trying to end this blog on a sad note, just want to express the burning desire to keep up with the demand for change and improvements, and I believe we’re proving that it can happen.

Without our event sponsors, AJW Group, Tilco Electric and Integrated Digital Solutions, this event would not have been possible. We want to extend a huge thanks and express our appreciation for their support and belief in us to accomplish this incredible mission.

We want to thank everyone who donated to the Move for Life Foundation. We are so grateful for every dollar.

We feel confident that the funds raised greatly impact the community and make a difference to those on the waitlist for a transplant.