Monique Sullivan moves on to team sprint finals at the Pan Am Games, wearing her heart on her helmet

Finishing first in this morning’s team sprint qualification with fellow Albertan Kate O’Brien at the Pan Am Games, Monique Sullivan has ample reason to be proud. Tonight, at approximately 6:53 p.m. EDT, she moves on to the final round of the women’s team sprint, contending for the gold as the track at the Milton velodrome continues to heat up.

For a particular hero backing her, though, there are additional reasons to watch her compete — not to mention be proud.

As Canadian Cycling Magazine reported back in May, Sullivan is a participant in the “Helmets for Heroes” program. Conceived last year by Olympian Brad Spence, it’s a special project combining the dual empowering effects of art and sport, with a goal of raising money for kids affected by life-threatening illnesses. Pairing young artists with Canadian Olympians, specialized helmets are painted, then worn proudly into competition by athletes involved in the program.

The Fire Leaf is here! Can't wait to wear my @Helmets_4Heroes to race in 2 days! Check it out: http://t.co/TSWwBQj5s8 pic.twitter.com/Jg2Q89GtPp

— Monique Sullivan (@mmj_sullivan) July 15, 2015

For Sullivan, Spence himself was the connection when he introdued her to Joel Jamieson, a youth diagnosed with ulcerative colitis that triggered a kidney failure. After being on dialysis for four years, the young artist finally received a transplanted kidney in 2014. An Albertan like Sullivan, the helmet that resulted from Jamieson’s efforts was publicly unveiled during today’s competition, and it bears the signature of their shared provincial background.

“We worked on the design collaboratively,” Sullivan said. “Joel liked the concept of the flaming maple leaf and, growing up in Calgary, I have always loved escaping the city to the mountains. They make me feel centred and relaxed — something I want to feel during racing.”

“I really wanted to remember what I love about riding and why I do it,” Sullivan said. “Sometimes when I’m competing, I forget how much I just love to ride my bike. And I know that Joel has also found a lot of joy from riding now that he is able to do sports again.”

The words on the helmet, though, were key. On the helmet, “Je t’aime memere” was added, celebrating Sullivan’s grandmother who was diagnosed with cancer during the helmet’s design. “I am so glad she is still with us and going to be there watching,” she said. “It will be an emotional time for us.”

Fastening the chinstrap of Jamieson’s powerful art for the first time today, the helmet will be put up for auction after the Pan Am Games conclude, with proceeds from the sale going to the nephrology ward of the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Beyond the financial support of a leading hospital, though, there’s the question of the less tangible, more subjective benefits of pairing artists and athletes. Empowerment — whether on the track or in healing — seems to be the key word.

“Sport is very concrete and rational,” Sullivan said. “There is always a clear goal, a clear winner, and clear process to get from one step to the next. Art can be much more subjective and there are no winners and losers. However, both have the power to bring people together. What I really love about Helmets for Heroes is that it gives everyone involved a new way to express themselves, and we get to do it together.”

Those interested in the post-Pan Am Games auction can offer sealed bids by e-mail to helmets4heroes@outlook.com.