A St. Albert woman is putting her best foot forward next week to help bring an end to women's cancer.
Hundreds of people will walk up to 60 kilometres along the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton Aug. 7 and 8 as part of the Weekend to End Women's Cancers, formerly known as the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.
It's a new, broader focus for the event, says Alberta Cancer Foundation CEO Linda Mickelson, one that is now in its 5th year in Edmonton.
"Research has been showing over the last number of years that there are links between breast cancer and many gynecological cancers," she says, particularly ovarian. Most cancer research happens at a fundamental, molecular level as well; an innovation on breast cancer could easily apply to prostate, lung or other cancers. "It just made sense to expand the scope of the event to cover all women's cancers."
The event, the largest of its kind in Alberta, has already raised about $22 million for research at places like the Cross Cancer Institute, Mickelson says. Participants commit to raising about $2,000 each and to walking 60 kilometres over two days, camping overnight. They've brought in a new one-day, 30 kilometre walk this year to make it easier to participate.
Tara MacDonald, a stay-at-home mom in St. Albert, says she'll be doing the 30-kilometre walk. "The cause is terrific," she says. "I want to raise money to hopefully prevent cancer in myself, my family, and my friends."
This is her first time in the walk and she says she expects to feel sore the next morning. "We're supposed to be moving furniture the next day into our new house," she adds. "I don't plan to participate too much."
What's important is to get out and walk regularly, says Mickelson, a veteran of seven walks. Sunscreen, a water bottle, and good shoes are a must. Volunteers will be available to hand out drinks to walkers.
A walk to remember
About one in nine Canadian women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives, according to the Alberta Cancer Foundation — about 22,700 a year (plus 180 men). About 630 Alberta women die from breast, cervical, ovarian, endometrial and uterine cancer each year.
MacDonald says she lost her 50-year-old grandmother to cancer and knows many women who had cervical cancer in their 20s. "It's so scary when it [happens] so young."
The walk is a deeply personal experience for many, says Mickelson, who lost a sister to breast cancer. "It leaves a massive hole in any family when you lose someone you care about."
The walk gives people a chance to share stories with others touched by the disease. It also leaves people with a huge sense of accomplishment. "Walking 60 kilometres in two days is not easy," Mickelson says, and neither is the fundraising. Despite that, some individuals raise well over $10,000 for their walks. The top fundraiser as of Tuesday morning had about $19,000. "It's a tremendous achievement when you cross the finish line and realize what you've done."
This year, Mickelson says she'll be walking with a living example of the importance of cancer research — her daughter, who was treated at the Cross Cancer Institute for Hodgkin's lymphoma. "The research that was funded while she was an infant is the reason she's still alive today."
For details on the walk, call 780-424-WALK (9255).
