A Rockland man set off Saturday morning for a 100-kilometre ultra marathon to $100,000 for The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Mathieu Chatelain says he wanted to help the Ottawa Hospital after it helped his family years ago. “When I was eight years old, The Ottawa Hospital helped me. They brought my dad back to me. It’s very important to me to try and do the same thing — to raise $100,000 to try and bring another parent back to their families,” Mathieu said. The Ottawa Hospital Foundation is raising $500 million to build a new hospital campus through their Campaign to Create Tomorrow. “This is a once in a generation opportunity for our community. We haven’t seen an infrastructure project like this since 100 years ago,” Shelley Mclean, development officer for philanthropy at The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, said. “This is the largest healthcare infrastructure project in our region’s history.” The hospital campus will be home to the region’s largest adult trauma centre and a new mental health department. “It’s very special for our region. It’s a place that will touch so many people in the region at one point in their life,” said McLean. “Everyone going through a health concern right now. I have them in my thoughts. I am very, very motivated. My legs are a different story. They’re very tight,” said Mathieu. “I have the power of the Ottawa Hospital behind me.” The Ottawa Hospital says every donation matters. Mathieu says the city is lucky to have the Ottawa Hospital and it needs the community’s help to reach its goal. The inspiration came to Mathieu after he attended an event held by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation that reunited him with the neurosurgeon who operated on his father, Dr. David Schramm. “They magically sat me next to the surgeon who operated on my dad when I was 35 years old. At 35 years old, I was able to recognize what the Ottawa Hospital did for me when I was eight years old,” said Mathieu. “The feeling I felt sitting next to Dr. Schramm is the feeling I want to bring to another family.” Mathieu says it was at that moment that he realized none of his special moments with his dad would’ve happened without the hospital’s care. “All the memories, all the car rides, the hockey, all the support. It would not exist without the Ottawa Hospital. That’s why I’m thanking on this immense journey,” Mathieu said. Pierre Chatelain, Mathieu’s dad, says his son has taken on an incredible task and he feels good knowing he was the inspiration behind it all. “Dr. Schram operating me over 30 years ago. He brought me back home and, it resonated to Mathieu a few years ago. That’s when he started to take on this great challenge and to raise the funds for the foundation,” said Pierre, “We’re so proud of him. It is phenomenal.” Mathieu says he’s gained a lot of courage and was excited to start the run. His family and friends were there to offer him courage and support. “What I’m experiencing right now is the community coming together to support a great cause,” said Mathieu. “We’re just so honoured that he is not only supported the campaign but made sure that people are aware of what’s happening by going big and doing 100-kilometre run today. We’re truly grateful and it’s truly remarkable what he’s doing and all the hours that he’s been putting into this to make it possible for today,” said McLean. “He’s spent countless hours training for today so that it’s been a quite a commitment.” Mathieu started training for his ultramarathon last year but injured his knee. Since Jan. 1, he’s hit the ground running. “1,200 km so far. Ran in six inches of snow. I’d rather run in snow than in heat. It’s lot easier,” said Mathieu. Mathieu previously raised money for running a half marathon for Ottawa race weekend back in 2018. The Ottawa hospital has raised more than $400 million of their $500 million goal. Mathieu started his run at 4 a.m. Saturday and expects to finish by 8 p.m. Donations are still open on The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s website.
