English Community

Walk of Hope weekend is officially here. For those who are out there walking or in attendance at a site, it may be a very emotional day. Allow yourself the time and space to process those emotions. I found that the day can also be very inspirational and uplifting especially when you see so many people gathered to support this cause.

If you meet some new Teal Sisters, please ask if they are members of OVdialogue. If they aren't please invite them to join. They can find information via the Ovarian Cancer Canada website under the "About Your Cancer", "Support and Education" section. While we never wish this diagnosis upon anyone, we also want anyone enduring this disease to know there is a forum available for them to learn, share and hopefully receive support. OCC - Peer Support Programs

Good luck everyone. Please post any pictures you take from your walk site!!

#OCCinfoandupdates #Supportandencouragement

Congratulations on your amazing fundraising campaign Leslie and thank you!

I was thrilled that it went so well. I have never asked for $ in any fundraiser event, but I am in a phase of paying it forward in all kinds of ways. I am so grateful to be alive. 🩷 My final amount raised was $2750.00. 

💓

The Vancouver Island group raised $79,000!  

@LeslieA wow! Way to go Vancouver Island!  That's impressive with the event happening just one week after the Terry Fox Run and with the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock going on!

@LeslieA that's amazing and thank goodness for folks like them who help raise such impressive funds. Also Jennifer Symth is a huge inspiration as a 25-year survivor. That's also the same diagnosis as me too! Hope is everywhere!!!!

#Supportandencouragement

@Courtenay glad it was a great day on Sunday as well. Do you have any pictures you can share??

@LeslieA That is amazing…congratulations! I didn't think to ask what our total was. Looks like BC is a little shining star. 🙏🩵

Florence 🙏🩵

The researcher who spoke from BC Cancer said that cancer research in our province is ahead of the other provinces in Canada, (perhaps regarding certain findings). 

@LeslieA I guess we have a province to follow then in terms of what they uncover next. I'm thankful for the continued research that's for sure!!

#Clinicaltrialsandresearch

@LeslieA that is a HUGE amount!! 🌟

What a beautiful day to unite in a common cause. You did so well with your paintings…well done.

Florence xxx

One thing I forgot to mention: a researcher from BC Cancer spoke at the event, describing some significant advances in treating some cancers in general. The goal is to eventually apply these findings to ovarian cancer and some of the other ones that are difficult to treat. Researchers are looking at the immune system in our bodies and activating it in ways to eradicate cancer. He noted that the medical community hadn't put much stock in the power of the immune system to impact cancer cell growth, but that idea was mistaken. He spoke very positively about this finding, saying that his mice in the lab have all recovered from cancer with these new methods. Fingers crossed. 

@LeslieA thank you for sharing the pics of the event.

Bravo to all you walkers! Great pictures. I couldn't do the walk, but I definitely donated.  Very interesting the information mentioned by LeslieA: "Researchers are looking at the immune system in our bodies and activating it in ways to eradicate cancer."  Looking forward to hearing more about this approach.

@LeslieA more hope in the world of treatments. Thank you for sharing!

#Treatmentandsideeffects

Well done @LeslieA and what amazing photos. You had great weather. How did your speech go??? I bet you were a huge hit. Congratulations on being asked and thank you on behalf of all Teal Sisters for sharing your story and your time. Great fundraising by the way as well!!!

My speech went really well @Alwayslearning. Several people came up to me and thanked me for my words about hope. One older man had tears in his eyes and asked if he could hug me and yes, of course. He lost his wife last year. Public speaking is not one of my best skills, but I practiced it enough to not read my speech in a stilted manner. 
Jennifer Smyth came after me and she was fantastic. She spoke from her heart in a very engaging way. 

@LeslieA I have no doubt you did an amazing job and clearly you had impact. Congratulations again. 👏

I'm finally getting caught up on all the posts from the past few weeks. Loving the great weather and smiles from the Walk of Hope sites. Well done everyone. 
My in-laws plus sister/brother in law walked in my honour. I did not know they were going. I was very touched.