As Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the MS Society of Canada, Quebec Division, Lynda Archambault is a determined and dynamic leader who enlists many people to support those affected by MS. Along with being a teacher, businesswoman and philanthropist, she has been a volunteer for over 15 years.
She was diagnosed with MS in 1994. Now, at 53 years old, she reflects on her MS experiences.
After giving birth to her second daughter, she lost all feeling in her legs for a few days. At that time, she was working in hairdressing, and she had already started to experience numbness and a loss of dexterity.
After her diagnosis, Lynda decided to go into teaching, a field that had always interested her. She obtained her BA, during which time she juggled her studies, family life and MS symptoms.
Lynda kept her diagnosis secret for more than 10 years to protect her two daughters. After many MS relapses, Lynda decided to publicly announce that she had the disease. “I wanted to be a positive role model of hope and resilience for my daughters, inform people and change perceptions about the disease, and get involved in order to have a lasting impact,” explained Lynda.
Lynda and her husband participated in MS Bike for the first time in 2004. After spending some time with others living with MS, she decided to put her heart and soul into helping the cause.
For 15 years, Lynda has recruited the members of her MS Bike team, ‘Pédaliers de l’avenir’, (Pedal for the Future), from people in her circle of friends and family where each member has a fundraising goal. If others want to get involved without cycling, they can volunteer for fundraising activities organized by her.
Every year, Lynda and her team organize two major fundraising events. The first one, a hot dog sale in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Québec, takes place during a weekend in May. Lynda’s family and friends gather to raise awareness for MS and to raise money to help those living with the disease. This is an event that brings people together and highlights the determination of people with MS.
The second event organized by Lynda and her team is a festive dinner, followed by an evening featuring a well-known stand-up comedian. It requires six months of preparation and the commitment of many people with over 200 people in attendance.
Since 2004, Lynda and her team have raised close to $1 million for the MS Society of Canada.
“Together, we are working toward a common goal. We are creating something unique and lasting. Our commitment is to support people with MS now and in the future,” said Lynda.
You can help Lynda and others living with and affected by MS by registering for MS Bike.