Tour de Rock Riders Rally for Victoria Girl Battling Cancer

An emotional moment unfolded in Victoria on October 3, 2023, as a group of riders from the annual Tour de Rock bike event stopped to honor 13-year-old Olivia Lassam, who has been fighting brain cancer for nearly seven years. Olivia, along with her brothers, Lucas and Kai, greeted the riders outside their home, surrounded by family and supporters who came to show solidarity in her battle against the disease.

Olivia’s mother, Morgan Lassam, expressed her heartfelt gratitude while watching from inside the house. She described the journey as both “heartbreaking and inspiring,” highlighting the incredible strength shown by Olivia and her siblings. “When one child faces a challenge, the whole family becomes part of the fight,” she stated in an interview with Victoria News. “The love and support from our community have carried us through so much.”

In previous years, the Lassam home served as a vibrant site for a lemonade stand run by Olivia and her brothers, raising an impressive $62,000 for Tour de Rock, which raises funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment. This year, due to Olivia’s ongoing treatments, they were unable to host the stand, but Lassam encouraged those wishing to contribute to direct their support to Shea Mackenzie, an honorary rider who has been a tremendous source of support for the family.

“It means so much to us to have Tour de Rock stop by our home,” Lassam added. “This show of support is deeply meaningful and reminds us that even in our hardest times, we are not alone.”

Olivia was diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma in the cerebellum and brain stem at the age of seven, a pivotal moment that she recalls vividly. She became ill on her baby brother’s first birthday, a detail noted in her profile with Ronald McDonald House Charities, an organization that has provided significant assistance throughout her journey.

Every summer, Olivia, Lucas, and Kai attend Camp Goodtimes, a free, medically supervised camp where children facing cancer can connect with peers, gain support, and enjoy childhood away from hospital settings. This experience has enabled Morgan to form lasting bonds with other families navigating similar challenges.

The Tour de Rock ride concluded at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia at 16:51, with exhausted but smiling riders marking the end of their 1,200 km journey. For the Lassam family, the visit from the riders serves as a cherished memory that will provide strength for the challenges that lie ahead.

“It’s about more than the ride; it’s about knowing that all of our children are valued, and that we’re surrounded by people who care,” Morgan said. The support from the community has been a crucial part of their journey, reinforcing the message that nobody has to face their struggles alone.