Yves Poirier’s 1,000 km Bike Ride Raises $24,619 for HGMH’s CT Scanner Campaign

What began as an ambitious 1,000-kilometre bike ride across Ontario became an extraordinary show of determination, generosity and community support for rural healthcare.

In August 2026, Yves Poirier, President and CEO of Minimax Express Transportation, set out to cycle 1,000 kilometres from Windsor through Toronto, Kingston and Ottawa before making his way to Alexandria, the home of Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital (HGMH).

His goal was to raise $10,000 for HGMH Foundation’s CT Scanner Campaign and help bring HGMH’s first onsite CT scanner closer to reality.

By the end of the journey, the community had helped Yves raise an incredible $24,619.25 — nearly two and a half times his original goal.

A 1,000 km journey for rural healthcare

Yves’ ride took him across Ontario and past some of the province’s most recognizable landmarks.

Supporters followed his journey as he reached the CN Tower in Toronto, travelled through Kingston, arrived at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and eventually headed toward Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital in Alexandria, Ontario.

Along the way, HGMH Foundation invited the community to follow his progress and guess when he would reach different milestones.

Yves reached the CN Tower at 5:18 a.m. and Parliament Hill at 3:28 p.m., giving supporters a chance to share in the excitement of the ride from wherever they were following.

But behind every kilometre was a much larger purpose.

The ride was helping raise funds and awareness for the campaign to bring HGMH’s first onsite CT scanner to our rural community.

“One donation, one pedal stroke at a time”

Reflecting on the journey afterward, Yves shared a lesson that captured both the physical challenge of cycling 1,000 kilometres and the spirit of community fundraising.

“One thing I realized on this ride is that fundraising is a lot like riding a bicycle: it’s not one grand gesture that gets you to the finish line, it’s one donation, one pedal stroke at a time.”

It was an idea that proved true throughout his journey.

Each kilometre brought Yves closer to Alexandria. Each donation brought HGMH Foundation closer to its goal of expanding access to diagnostic care closer to home.

“Every contribution, no matter the size, pushed me a little further down the road.”

For patients across Glengarry and the surrounding rural communities, bringing CT imaging to HGMH will mean greater access to essential diagnostic equipment without having to leave the community for every CT scan.

A community behind every kilometre

Yves may have been the one on the bicycle, but he was never truly riding alone.

Donors, sponsors, family members, friends and community supporters followed his progress, shared his story and encouraged him throughout the journey.

HGMH Foundation Chair Mark Adam even met Yves along the route near Cobourg — a moment Yves later highlighted in his message of thanks.

“You gave me so much energy.”

Yves also thanked Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital Foundation for providing inspiration during the most difficult portions of the ride.

And he saved an important message for the community that rallied behind him:

“And to our community: thank you for cheering me on, for showing up, and for reminding me exactly why this ride mattered.”

That community support would become especially visible when Yves finally returned home.

Bringing the 1,000 km bike ride home to Alexandria

After travelling 1,000 kilometres across Ontario, Yves made his way toward Alexandria and Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital.

He did not finish the journey alone.

Local cyclists joined him for the final kilometres as he approached HGMH, where family, friends, donors, hospital representatives and community members were waiting to welcome him home.

It was a fitting end to a journey that had grown far beyond one cyclist and one fundraising goal.

Yves initially hoped to raise $10,000.

By the time he shared his post-ride message on GoFundMe, more than $21,000 had already been donated.

The support kept coming.

The final total reached $24,619.25 for Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital Foundation’s CT Scanner Campaign.

$24,619.25 toward bringing CT care closer to home

Yves’ ride demonstrated what can happen when a personal challenge becomes a community effort.

No single pedal stroke carried him 1,000 kilometres across Ontario.

In the same way, every donor, sponsor and supporter played a part in moving HGMH’s CT Scanner Campaign forward.

As Yves wrote:

“One pedal stroke, one donation, one community — that’s how we got here.”

To Yves, every sponsor and donor, the cyclists who joined him, and everyone who followed, shared, donated and cheered him on: thank you.

Together, you turned a 1,000-kilometre bike ride into $24,619.25 for rural healthcare.

And together, we continue to Bring It Home.

Help Bring CT Care Home to HGMH

Every gift to Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital Foundation’s CT Scanner Campaign helps bring HGMH’s first onsite CT scanner closer to our community.

Help us Bring It Home. Donate today.