When Annette Halsted and her family cycle the Ride to Conquer Cancer this June, they’ll be remembering a charismatic, happy 16-year-old whose life was cut short during last year’s ride.
Halsted was riding behind her son, Xavier Pelletier, during the two-day, 200-kilometre charity ride when he clipped another rider and fell into the path of an oncoming vehicle near Arlington, Wash., 65 kilometres south of Vancouver. It was June 16, 2013, a week after Xavier’s 16th birthday.
The mother and son were riding with Xavier’s uncle, Trevor Halsted, who has battled brain cancer. Before the ride, Xavier had been buoyed by the fundraising efforts and talked to his mom about making the ride an annual tradition.
Despite the painful memories, Halsted said the family owes it to Xavier to keep riding and continue his goal of raising money for the B.C. Cancer Foundation.
“It happened so fast. It was such a shock, and it really taught us the importance of living every day to its fullest,” Halsted said.
“It’s laughing with your friends, reconnecting with your family.”
Saturday was the kick-off to the family’s fundraising drive and one of the first group rides to prepare for the journey on June 14 and 15. Annette’s 20-year-old daughter, Jennifer Pelletier, Trevor Halsted and other family friends are also joining Team Xav.
Halsted, a 49-year-old nurse, is determined to ride Xavier’s bike, even though it’s too big for her.
When the family rides together, it “brings us closer, not further away from Xavier,” she said.
Xavier, a Grade 10 student at Pacific Christian School, was remembered as a teen who was always smiling and had a great sense of humour. After his death, donations to Xavier’s personal page on the Ride to Conquer Cancer website jumped from $750 to more than $4,000.
To make a donation in Xavier’s name, go to conquercancer.ca and search for Team Xav.
