“It was absolutely amazing. I can hardly put it into words.”
That’s how former local resident Hannah Carter described the 60-km “Weekend to End Breast Cancer” walk she participated in late last month in honour of her mother, Judy.
“The amount of support the volunteers, and the people of Toronto, showed was incredible,” Carter marvelled when describing the walk, which started on the waterfront at CNE Place on Sept. 20 and wound up Sept. 21 at the same place after 3,972 women and men of all ages and backgrounds walked a route through the city.
“It was wonderful walking down the streets,” she noted. “People had posters, signs, and balloons. They offered cookies and Powerade. Stores left cases of water out for us.
“People even offered the use of their bathrooms in their homes.
“People were honking their horns, yelling, ‘Thank you, thank you!’” added the 23-year-old, who moved from here last September.
The inaugural walk, which attracted a good deal of media attention in Toronto, brought in a total of more than $12 million for breast cancer research and treatment, with some individuals raising up to $50,000.
Carter herself raised $2,200—$200 above the minimum required to take part in the walk.
Besides her co-workers and friends in Hamilton and Toronto, Carter also garnered support from right here Rainy River District, including through a social held here back on July 11 (which raised about $600) and a $100 donation from Robert Moore students at the end of the last school year.
She also received local donations through a Web site (www.endcancer.ca), where people could directly sponsor her via the Internet.
The “Weekend to End Breast Cancer” began with a breakfast at 5 a.m. on the Saturday, followed by an opening ceremony. Walkers then started their two-day trek from CNE Place shortly before 8 a.m.
“All 4,000 left at once,” said Carter, noting it was remarkable to be part of such a large group of people united for the same cause.
Carter made fast friends with four other women along the way, making the time go by quickly, she remarked. Having travelled 34 km that day, she stopped around 5 p.m. to camp out with the rest of the group at Downsview Park.
There, the participants were provided with dinner and some music.
“It was great to be able to sit down with others and talk—and share Tiger Balm [a salve to soothe aching muscles],” Carter said.
“It was a time to share why we were doing it, why we were involved,” she added. “You’d meet survivors and family members of those with cancer. But perhaps what impressed me most were the people who hadn’t been touched by cancer—who were doing it purely for compassionate reasons.”
“Lights-out” was at 9:30 p.m. “Trust me, a lot of people were out before that,” Carter laughed.
The walk resumed at 7 a.m. on the Sunday, but Carter and her small group of new friends waited until 8:30 a.m. to leave to avoid the rush. And they took their time completing the remaining 26 km, arriving back at the CNE around 2 p.m.
Carter said she gave her mother, Judy, who still lives here in Fort Frances, a call about two km before the finish line. “I told her how great it was,” she enthused.
“There were people 200 feet deep waiting for us, cheering us on,” she recalled fondly. “It was like being part of the biggest team ever. I never thought it would be that inspiring.”
Carter, who runs regularly to keep fit, was surprised at how her body handled the 60-km walk over two days. The most distance she’d previously done in two days is 30 km (two 15-km events back-to-back).
“Saturday night I was a bit sore, and today [Sept. 22] my quads are a bit sore. But nothing too painful. I thought I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed,” she said.
Carter said a second “Weekend to End Breast Cancer” is slated for next year—and she’s “100 percent” sure she’ll try it again.
“I’ve already got some different fundraising ideas. I’m up for the challenge, and I’m looking to get some other people to join me, like my sisters, although they don’t know it yet,” she remarked.
Carter wanted to thank all the family, friends, and communities who supported her, both emotionally and financially. “They’re the ones who made it possible,” she said.
“As a parent, I’m very proud of her,” Judy Carter said early last week.
“That’s a major undertaking, as far as I’m concerned,” she added. “She worked hard to get there, did it, and persevered. Both her dad [Lawrence] and I are glad she went through with it.
“We’re proud.”
The “Weekend to End Breast Cancer,” which was sponsored by the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, aimed to raise money for both research and treatment.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
