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 journey continues
In June 2009 we both re-registered for the Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer. Joseph 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, 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 back. 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. We have both registered for the 2011 Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer.
In 2009 our mission was to raise a minimum of $15,000 by the end of June 2010. We raised 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. And as mentioned on the homepage, I am now walking on his Butterfly of Hope team in the Toronto walk.
The Butterfly of Hope is made up of 6 teams of 35 walkers honouring the 35 walks Chad Cieslik took part in since the Weekend began. I will be participating in the Toronto Walk as a Butterfly of Hope and have now reached my minimum fundraising goal of $2000.
Joseph has now registered to walk again in Toronto. Please support his walk by making a donation at one of our tag days or online.
