Our journey since our first
Weekend to End Breast Cancer
2007: 420 km in the fight against breast cancer
Even before we set off for the 2006 Weekend walk, we had already registered for the 2007 event. But that year we decided to challenge ourselves and registered for all seven of the Canadian Weekend to End Breast Cancer walks and made the commitment to raise a minimum of $28,000 for breast cancer research, care and education. We felt that by being part of the walk in 7 Canadian cities we would be helping women, girls AND men throughout the country, who are affected by this awful disease.
That year, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors we were able to donate $28,000 to the Weekend to End Breast Cancer and we walked in ALL 7 Weekend walks ~ Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto ~ a 420 km journey in the fight against breast cancer. And, our journey did not stop there.
2008: Another 360 km
In 2008, our fundraising and awareness journey continued with Joseph walking in six more Weekend to End Breast Cancer events ~ Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal and Toronto ~ another 360 km journey in the same fight.
Again, thanks to our sponsors and other donors, an additional $12,133 was donated to the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, benefiting cancer research centres in the host cities, bringing our total donated to the Weekend to End Breast Cancer to around $44,500.
In 2008 we walked for Margarida, who, in 2007, was diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as all the other women and men affected by the dreaded C word.
2009: 60 km again for breast cancer
plus over 200 km against colorectal cancer
In 2009, our journey continued. In September, we took part in the 2009 Toronto Weekend to End Breast Cancer and raised over $4,000 for the Princess Margaret Hospital.
In June 2009 we also participated in the Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer, a 200+ km bicycle ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls. We rode in honour of Joseph's friend, Dave (Digger) Chute, who passed away in April after a three-year long battle against colon cancer.
We raised over $5,000 with proceeds benefiting the Princess Margaret Hospital for research into colorectal cancer (also known as colon and rectal cancers), the second leading cause of death from cancer in Canada. And our journey continues in 2010.
2010: The Ride to Conquer Cancer and The Butterfly of Hope Team
In June 2009 we both re-registered for the Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer. Joseph had also registered for Alberta, BC and Quebec with the intention of participating in all four rides, and I was to join him again in Quebec. Early in 2010 and halfway to our fundraising goal of $15,000, Joseph injured his back and had to pull out of all but the Quebec Ride.
In June 2010, I rode 218 km in the Ontario Ride and Joseph supported me by being at pit stops, bringing me a chair to sit on at lunch on Saturday, and being at both Saturday and Sunday's finish lines to welcome me in. I couldn't have done it without his support. What an emotional and adrenaline-pumping experience it was again! It is such a feeling of accomplishment crossing Sunday's finish line with thousands of onlookers cheering you on.
In 2009 our mission was to raise a minimum of $15,000 by the end of June 2010. Thanks to our sponsors we donated close to $10,000. We will continue in 2011 and beyond with an ultimate goal of raising $50,000 for colorectal cancer research and awareness. Visit our sister site, www.cyclingforacure.ca, for more information.
In September 2009, the Toronto Weekend to End Breast Cancer event was a very emotional experience. A month or so prior to the event, we learnt that an amazing man had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Since its inception in 2003, Chad Cieslik had walked in every event. On his 2,100 km journey, he had raised $210,000 for breast cancer research, made countless new friends, lost several special ones along the way and had been a great inspiration to both Joseph and me as well as thousands of others.
In January 2009, Chad was diagnosed with stage 2 lung cancer and began to fight his own battle with this awful disease! Throughout 2009, despite needing to undergo treatment for his cancer, Chad continued to walk in six events as well as participate in 3 Ride to Conquer Cancer events. But in 2010 it was time to put away his shoes and look after number one for awhile.
Chad had challenged the Butterfly of Hope team to raise $420,000 and walk in his honour and so 6 teams of 35 walkers honouring the 35 walks Chad had previously walked in since the Weekend began. Karen switched teams that year and walked as a Butterfly of Hope team member and along with 240 registered members, the team raised $510,000 benefiting cancer centres across Canada.
2011: The Weekend and Other Events
We have both registered for the Toronto Weekend to End Women's Cancers and have joined Johnny Reid's Pink Tartan Army team. We will be walking on September 10 and 11 with thousands of other women and men in the fight against breast cancer and other gynaecological cancers.
This year we are also taking part in two Rona Ride for MS events, Share the Road, the Enbridge CN Tower Climb for the United Way and the Detroit Half Marathon (Joseph only) helping to raise awareness and funds for other organizations.
