Six Elmira residents are slipping on their pink T-shirts and walking laps around the neighbourhood in support of cancer research. Team Scotty and the Pussycats will be taking great strides to aid those affected by cancer by participating in Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers, benefiting the Campbell Family Institute at The Princess Margaret Hospital.
The team will join thousands of other courageous and committed women and men Sept. 11-12 in a two-day, 60-kilometre walk through Toronto to raise funds for women’s cancers.
The local crew is made up of Scott Willard, the team captain, Shannon Carbone, who has participated for four years prior to this one, Tammy Willms, in her third year walking, Jill Taylor, in her second year walking and newcomers Jill Willard and Megan Hilts.
“Cancer has not only touched our families, but our friends and just about everyone you talk to,” said Tammy Willms. “We walk in order to make a better future for our daughters and other females in the world.”
Thousands of walkers across the country will cover approximately 30 kilometres each day, travelling at their own pace. Walkers will be supported by hundreds of volunteers and crew members who will provide meals, water and snack stops, gear transport, portable restrooms, safety on the streets, comprehensive medical services and an overnight campsite complete with tents and hot showers.
Participants walk through downtown Toronto, directly past St. Margaret’s Hospital, where they give high fives to doctors, nurses and hospital patients who line the street in support.
“It’s a very emotional journey,” said Taylor. “Physically, 60 kilometres is a long walk, but what really got to me was the emotional journey. They really make you feel like even just as one person, you’re changing the world; you’re making a difference in women’s lives. I came home feeling on top of the world.”
Formerly known as The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, the name was changed in 2009 to encompass funds that benefit all women’s cancers; across Canada this year, an estimated 8,200 new cases of gynecologic cancers will be diagnosed, for instance. While event funds continue to support innovative research, treatments and prevention programs for breast cancer at the Campbell Family Institute, proceeds now also finance discoveries to better treat gynecologic cancers such as ovarian, uterine, cervical, and vulvar cancers.
The team is required to raise $2,000 per person in order to participate, but the group has raised the bar and set their personal fundraising goal at $15,000.
“We are going to try all kinds of things to raise money,” said Carbone. “We had a poker night, we’re going to do a ladies’ night in June, a bottle drive, a pub crawl, and our kids might even set up a lemonade stand or two.”
When the big day arrives, the team will walk in sunny weather or pouring rain; they’re packing clothes for all types of weather.
“It’s just walking,” said Taylor. “One foot after another. When you think about why you’re doing it and who you are helping, your sore feet are not such a big deal.”
To help the team reach their fundraising goal, visit www.endcancer.ca to make a donation online or call 416-815-WALK.
