The Drumheller Off Road Vehicle Association (DORVA) takes care of its own, and they demonstrated it again, supporting a member family facing some difficult health issues.
On Saturday night, January 9, the Association gathered for a club event. They presented a signed Nickelback guitar to the family of Sebastian D’ Anjou and Marie Josee La Montagne.
From Carstairs, the family has been coming to Drumheller to ride at DORVA’s track since 2009. Marie Josee was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. After the first round of treatment, they thought she was in remission, however, they learned the cancer was hiding. They eventually went to the United States for surgery.
Still looking for answers, they connected with a clinic in Mexico. Some of the alternative treatments have not been approved in Canada.
She just returned in November of last year. While she will be returning to a doctor in the next couple of weeks to learn her health status, she has been feeling healthy and is planning to participate in a 5k run come May. She also wants to be back on her motocross come next season.
Throughout their journey, she says the support from family, friends and the club has not waned.
Their health journey has taken a toll on the family, physically, emotionally and financially. At about this time last year, DORVA made a donation to the family to help with their medical expenses. The family has also set up a gofundme crowd funding page to support their journey.
This year DORVA, to lift the spirits of the family, were able to secure a guitar, signed by the internationally famous band Nickelback.
DORVA president Tim Chatten says the donation is just the nature of the club’s membership.
“The members are passionate and they show up for each other when there is an opportunity to help,” he said.
Not only are the family members motocross fans, but Nickelback fans, and Sebastian says he’ll try out the guitar.
