iRun 25 for 35 : Because Everyone Deserves to Live Well with Cancer
August 9th, 2011This is a guest post by Vicky Ringuette, Grant Boland, Shawn Coffell and Harmony Maiuk who will be running the 25 km Run for the Toad on October 1, 2011 as Team 25 for 35.
——————————————————–
Vicky: For as long as I can remember, I’ve watched Canada AM every single weekday morning to get my day started. About four years ago, there was a news story about a mother and son from out West who had found each other through Facebook. This got me thinking whether I should look for my father through this social networking tool.
Grant: Did you?
Vicky: I did. It only took three days from the day I posted on Facebook to the day he called me. I’m very fortunate to have developed a loving father/daughter relationship with him over the years. However, I was devastated when he called me last December to inform me that the cancer battle he’d won just a year prior, was unfortunately back and this time, it was terminal. My father lost his battle with cancer on May 25, 2011.
Grant: That is awful.
Vicky: Yes, it is. Unfortunately, I’m not alone. Nowadays, it seems we all have a story about cancer.
Grant: I know. My first experience with death was when my grandmother died of brain cancer. I was about eight years old. I can remember visiting her in the hospital room and seeing her shift between clarity and confusion. At times she couldn’t remember who she was talking to and couldn’t recognize her own children. It was shocking to see such a dignified and elegant woman looking pathetic and weak and it was very sad for the whole family.
Vicky: Cancer has stolen so many of our loved ones and far too soon. Shortly after my loss, Shawn and I began discussing what we could do to both honour my father and help others who are affected by cancer. We came up with the idea to register for the Run for the Toad’s 25 km trail run and use this opportunity to raise money for a local cancer-related organization. A few months ago, I met Norma from the Wellwood Resource Centre of Hamilton, a non-profit organization helping people to live well with cancer. I suggested that we raise money for this organization. Shawn agreed and set out to find our team name. I’ll let him explain.
Shawn: Hey Grant!
Grant: Hi Shawn!
Shawn: I came up with our team name after Googling how many types of cancers exist in Canada. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, there are 35 different types of cancer. I thought since we are running 25 km, it would make sense to call ourselves “25 for 35”.
Grant: That’s cool. Do you have a cancer story Shawn?
Shawn: Unfortunately, I have a few. One of my aunts is currently battling cancer and a few of my parents’ friends have either lost their battle or are currently undergoing treatment. It’s all around us and there is no age restriction. A friend of mine recently battled the disease and thankfully survived. In fact, she is one of our teammates running 25 for 35. Harmony, would you like to share your story?
Harmony: Yes, I would. Thanks Shawn. For as long as I can remember, I knew that every woman in my family had been struck by cancer before they were 27. I felt blessed when I broke the cycle turning 28. However, shortly after turning 29, I heard the words “you” and “cancer” in the same sentence. My life changed that day, in every possible way. Since then I have taken, “I want to” out of my vocabulary and inserted “I am doing”. I am running this race in memory and honour of everyone who has battled this storm we call cancer. I am also running this race for me, who was once sick and slept every night on the bathroom floor to deal with nausea, had endless nose bleeds and body tremors, who was too weak to lift my own purse and who tried to be brave and strong for everyone else. I am blessed to be in good health and this race is to honour those who cannot run with us but will be with us in spirit.
Vicky: Thanks for sharing your story with us Harmony. On October 1st, the four of us will all be running together for a reason.
Grant: Our goal is to raise $2,500.00. I hope you will support our efforts.
Vicky: Yes and if you would like to support us, here’s how you can do it:
Go to http://www.canadahelps.org/ and click on “Giving Pages” then search for “25 for 35”. Our Giving Page will come up and you can donate any amount you want through the secure online donation process.
Harmony: We are also organizing a Fundraising Comedy Night at Club 54 in Burlington, Ontario on September 10th. If you purchase your tickets directly from one of us, part of the proceeds will go directly to Wellwood. If we sell the maximum (250 tickets), we will raise $3,000.00 for Wellwood from this event alone!
Shawn: For more information or just to keep in touch, you can check us out on Facebook. Just search for “25 for 35” and “like” our page where you’ll be able to get in touch with us directly to buy tickets for the Comedy Night or share your story with us.
Vicky: Thanks everyone!
______________________________
If you, or someone you know, is Running for a Reason, please send your story to webeditor@irun.ca and we might feature it right here on this blog!
