Created in 2014, the traditional Rivière-du-Loup 3L Match en Rose will celebrate its 10th anniversary on February 7 at the Premier Tech Center. For the occasion, the Louperivoise organization wishes to send a clear message of hope to people struggling with breast cancer and their loved ones.
The unifying and mobilizing event has so far raised $75,500 to support research in the fight against breast cancer in Quebec. A “significant amount” proving the success of this initiative, launched more than ten years ago, which is a first in the North American Hockey League (LNAH).
“Did we expect such a result 10 years ago? No. Each year, the amounts raised are impressive, the collaborators are more numerous and the supporters too. It’s really a source of pride for the entire 3L organization,” shared Martin Ouellet, co-owner of the team.
“Every year, we really realize how very united the community is, very committed to the cause. As an organization, we are very happy about it,” he added.
The tenth Match en Rose will pit the 3L of Rivière-du-Loup against the National of Quebec on February 7. The Louperivoise organization hopes that more than 2,000 people will gather at the arena for the occasion. As a collective gift for the efforts made over the last decade and, above all, as a snub to the disease.
To mark the anniversary of the activity, the 3L also wished to highlight the contribution of each of its honorary presidents over the years. This is why all the women who have succeeded one another as ambassadors will be joint presidents of the 2025 event. They are Renée Ouellet, Dany Ross, Mylène Beauregard, Nancy Dumont, Isabelle Jean, Nancy Bastien and Marie-France Roussel.
“It’s a very strong symbolism,” underlined Ms. Roussel, who was honorary president of the Match en Rose 2024. “All these women are alive, in good shape and they said yes to the cause. Alone [Mme Denise Ouellet] will not be present, but she is still with us.”
“It’s extraordinary. Obviously, the illness brings very difficult periods, but we want to send a message of hope, to say that it is possible to return to work, to activities with energy.
The cause also reminds us of the importance of awareness and research, she recalls. “We all benefited [de l’évolution des connaissances]“, she argued.
A LOCAL FLAVOR
New this year, the Annette Cimon-Lebel Foundation will be the beneficiary of a third of the donations collected. This sum will go directly to the services offered in the KRTB sector, thanks to a “natural partnership”, according to the president of the board of directors, Myriam-Andrée Lebel.
The Annette Cimon-Lebel Foundation has been helping people with cancer since 1995. It helps cover part of the accommodation and meal costs for the person with cancer. She also offers help when people need to travel for their medical appointment.
-The rest of the amount will be donated, as tradition dictates, to the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.
A COMMUNITY BEHIND THE INITIATIVE
Once again, around ten partners came together to contribute to the success of the Match en Rose. The Matrec company will act, in particular, as main partner for a second year.
“We are delighted to contribute to this fundraiser which resonates with our region and our team. Perpetuating the tradition means strengthening our ties to the cause and supporting research in the fight against breast cancer,” underlined Patrick Ouellet, director of operations for Matrec in Rivière-du-Loup.
Note that several activities are organized alongside the Match en Rose in order to raise funds. An amount of $2 per adult ticket sold (at the door or at 3l.ticketacces.net) will be donated to the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. The autographed pink jerseys worn by the 3L players will also be entered into a draw and pink hockey pucks will once again be on sale at the fan club kiosk.
For a third year, KinerGym will also offer three group training sessions, open to members and non-members, in order to collect donations through pleasure…and effort.
Café Brûlerie Rivière-du-Loup will also donate $1.50 or $3 to the sale of bags of coffee beans or ground coffee, while the company Lili Crayon will make a donation of $2 for each “pink darling » sold for the cause.
Even more, restaurants and bars are also joining the movement: the Microbrasserie aux Fous brassant, the Rear Door, the Symposium restaurant boutique, the Loft, the Bistro L’Intercolonial, the Resto pub l’Estaminet and the Pub O’Farfadet. Even the Rivière-du-Loup firefighters decided to participate by collecting donations at the fire station and at town hall.
Furthermore, certain activities have already taken place, including the “Boutique C Mon Style” fashion parade in October and Marie-France Roussel’s Zumba activity.
Two great successes which have already raised a few thousand dollars for a good cause and which suggest a very nice sum for 2025.
