Remembering Ed
Participants push past blustery wind for 6th annual Ed Hodgson Memorial Run
More than 100 participants gathered to participate in the sixth annual Ed Hodgson Memorial Run to support the PCH oncology ward and honour Hodgson’s memory.
When Edward “Ed” Hodgson was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2009, his family couldn’t believe it.
“Ed came into our lives when I was around 3-years-old,” said step-daughter Sammie-Jo Keough, now aged 28. “He was a bluegrass musician and could play every instrument, and if he couldn’t, he would figure it out. He was kind, very active and hard-working.
“When Ed was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma it was a huge shock. We never talked about him not making it. It was always, ‘OK, we’re going to get the chemotherapy and radiation, we will then get the transplant and then it will all be over.’”
But before Hodgson reached the all-clear milestone mark, the cancer returned.
“His brother, Billy (William Hodgson), was the perfect match for the bone marrow transplant, but then he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and they didn’t want to put him through surgery as well, so Ed was put on a waiting list. “When a match finally came, and the surgery was completed, everything else got infected and Ed took a downward spiral… It was hard because although we knew it was coming, we were not prepared,” shared Keough. Hodgson, aged 62, died at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax on May 3, 2012.
His brother Billy battled prostate cancer for six years, before he succumbed to the disease in December 2017.
The family created the ‘Ed Hodgson Memorial Run’ to celebrate Hodgson’s life and remember others who lost their battle with cancer. Proceeds raised from the 6th annual five-kilometre run supports the oncology ward of Prince County Hospital, and assists those battling with the disease.
“Ed had a lot of his treatments in Halifax, and to leave this lovely Island you have to pay the bridge toll, there’s gas, places to stay, and all those expenses add up. Not everyone can always afford it,” explained Keough.
“Money raised from the run pays for bridge passes, gas cards and gift cards to Tim Hortons for coffee to ease the financial burdens. We also have gift cards to grocery stores that have a pharmacy, so patients can get their prescriptions,” she added.
Each year they raise close to $5,000.
More than 100 participants gathered at the end of MacKenzie Drive to push past the blustery boardwalk wind on Saturday morning.
“It’s a great turnout,” concluded Keough.