By Pam Pardy
When Harbour Mille, Fortune Bay’s Lucas Pike decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, it wasn’t for adventure or recognition. It was for love and to honour his mother, Joan Pike, who passed away in July 2021 following a battle with brain cancer.
“I knew that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro would challenge me in many ways I had never experienced,” Lucas shares with Downhome. “Given the significant positive impact my mom had on my life, I felt it was only appropriate to do something that would require me to overcome a lot in the process.”
Before he even began the climb, Lucas set out to raise $10,000 for Brain Cancer Canada, which he explains is “very mission-driven and operated by an incredible team of people, most of whom have been directly impacted by brain cancer themselves. They are also a 100% non-profit organization, so all funds raised go directly to support brain cancer research.”
He reached his goal just days before setting foot on the mountain, calling the support from friends, family and supporters “truly incredible.”
“I could really feel the impact this was having and knew I had so many people behind me,” he says, adding that supporting brain cancer research has been deeply personal for him.
“Brain cancer, glioblastoma specifically, currently has a very poor prognosis of approximately 12 to 18 months, and there has been little to no progress in treatment options for decades. As we’ve seen with other cancers and diseases, progress and much better outcomes are possible with the right commitment to research. So I believe it’s necessary to drive change and provide hope for everyone being impacted by this disease today.”
Every step up Africa’s tallest mountain became a reflection of that purpose. The days were long, the air thin, and the terrain unforgiving, but Lucas carried his mother’s memory with him through every kilometre.
The climb tested him physically. The lack of oxygen, extreme cold temperatures and wind, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion made reaching the summit on day six taxing, but the emotional side of the journey was just as intense. Though even when things got hard, he never thought about stopping.
“There were times when it got very difficult, but there was never a moment when I considered giving up. The commitment to this journey and the purpose behind it were strong enough that it was never an option. Having that mentality just kept me moving forward.”
When he finally reached the summit – on his mother’s birthday, no less – the moment was both surreal and emotional.
“If I’m being entirely honest, I probably wasn’t thinking the most clearly at that time,” he admits with a laugh. “The lack of oxygen due to the elevation had me feeling very intoxicated. There had been so much anticipation leading up to that moment, so it really was a surreal feeling with a lot of mixed emotions. I was definitely feeling a lot of gratitude for the experience and the opportunity to honour my mom this way. That was also combined with the sadness of not being able to share that moment and another big milestone with her.”
Those who knew Joan Pike remember her for her warmth, grace, and resilience.
“My mom just had this incredible presence that you always wanted to be around,” Lucas says. “She had this infectious smile that could light up any room. She was such a kind and compassionate person, always looking for a way to give back or to help others. Mom always found so much joy in the little things: her morning coffee, her daily walks, and spending time with family. Even during her battle with brain cancer, no matter how tough things got, she never complained and always showed incredible strength and resilience.”
Her example continues to inspire him, though the loss has changed his perspective on life.
“It really made me confront how precious and limited our time here is. Though it may sound extreme, acknowledging my own mortality really shifted my perspective and has allowed me to live a lot more intentionally. It’s helped me realize what matters and what doesn’t. And because of that, I’ve become a lot more comfortable taking bigger risks and making bolder decisions.”
As he reflects on his journey, Lucas hopes others find strength in his story.
“I hope those impacted by diseases like brain cancer know there are people out there who care and are striving for change. And for those experiencing the feeling of loss and hopelessness to know they are not alone, and that even if they are in a very dark place right now, they can turn that into something positive and meaningful.”
From the quiet peace of Harbour Mille to the summit of Kilimanjaro, Lucas carried his mother’s light with him – one step, breath, and memory at a time. And though she wasn’t there to see it, her spirit was with him every inch of the way.
