For Willy, Tour de Guelph is more than a community cycling event.
He first signed up in for the 2025 Tour de Guelph, after hearing about it from his nephew. With just ten days between registration and ride day, Willy jumped in, joining his nephew, brother-in-law, and his nephew’s fiancée, and raising an impressive $4,100.
For Willy, the cause hit close to home in a profound way. Over the Thanksgiving weekend of 2023, Willy’s daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor at Guelph General Hospital. “Not a very thankful weekend for us,” he says. What followed was an arduous road of appointments and treatments including two surgeries, radiation, a year of chemotherapy, and a consultation at the Mayo Clinic. But as of April 2025, Willy is happy to report that his daughter has had no tumor progression, and she continues to be monitored with regular MRIs at GGH every three months.
Access to these timely scans close to home is why Willy rides; Tour de Guelph’s support of the new Speedvale Campus and its Diagnostic Imaging Centre meant so much to him and his family. When he learned that fundraising was helping bring a second MRI machine to the community – and that it’s now up and running – it reinforced everything he was riding for. “Health care is super important for our family,” he says. “I hope to help support the ongoing funds needed [for the Speedvale Campus] – not just for my daughter, but for the whole community.”
This year, Willy is back and even better prepared. He’s been logging 25 to 40 kilometres a day outdoors after building his base with indoor training over the winter, all in preparation for when he takes on the 75 km route this June 28. And he won’t be riding alone, making Tour de Guelph a family cause. Together with his nephew, his nephew’s fiancée, his brother-in-law, and niece, they’ll all be pedalling with a purpose.
When asked what he’d say to anyone considering getting involved, his message was simple: “If you have a way to support your family and community, try to do your part – either by donating or participating. You’re not just helping yourself, but a whole lot of people who need to be supported.”
Having raised $4,100 in just ten days last year, Willy has already surpassed that total in 2026 and is closing in on his $5,000 goal.
Want to support Willy’s ride? Every dollar goes toward Guelph General Hospital and local initiatives through Rotary Clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium, making a difference for families right here in our community. Donate to Willy’s fundraising page here.
