Archives for "Sharing Thoughts"

Submitted by Deb R.

The weekend forecast here on the coast of British Columbia is expected to spike to 30 degrees — and through this heat a merry band of 1800+ walkers will embark on their 60 km journey through Vancouver to raise money for women’s cancer research.

It is my 7^th year participating in the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers and it is an amazing weekend of camaraderie and inspiration. This event is held in a variety of other cities in Canada during the summer – check it out at http://www.endcancer.ca .

While I am a person who has not experienced a breast cancer diagnosis, my mother has. As well, as I move in my career world from breast cancer specific work, into the realm of women’s cancers, I am constantly reminded of the reason for doing the work that I do:  for those that are my heroes – each woman who has struggled through a cancer diagnosis, treatments and recovery.

Why do I commit to fundraising and spending a weekend walking in the hot sun? I do it because I see some of the same women and their families through the years of participating – thriving and striving to make the world a better place for those who will come after them. Some women I will never see again as they are not as fortunate in their diagnosis. I remember meeting a young woman on the walk last year who was limping through the second day walking in flip flops – obviously in pain, obviously still in treatment and willing to push through everything to accomplish the feat. I watched her for the rest of the day – she finally accepted a ride to the finish line. And for her, it was a tearful yet memorable accomplishment.  She did it and she touched more hearts than mine.

I challenge anyone attending breast cancer events, not to be moved by such determination and commitment to life — you WILL be moved! I find tears flow freely during this weekend and I love it. It makes me feel alive and gives me the most excellent feeling of “doing good.”

It is exactly why we developed the breast cancer now what website and why there continues to be a core group from the young women’s group who thrive and strive in life, share their journeys and complement the website with their words of wisdom and understanding of  “been there – done that – helping others.”

I hope that everyone who reads this will go and sponsor someone who is taking the challenge to walk, bike, run for breast cancer research or to sign up for an event yourself. You can see all the gains made in research throughout Canada by accessing the Research area on the BCNW site where monthly JOURNAL articles are gathered and displayed. We are fortunate to have  many, many renowned doctors and health care professionals working on breakthroughs in the effort to control and ultimately control breast cancer.

Stay cool! I’m packing my Kleenex!

~ Deb R.