Walk supports Ovarian cancer

There is always hope — no matter what the statistics say.

That is why the local chapter of Ovarian Cancer Canada is hosting its annual walk on Sept. 8 at Quidi Vidi Lake in support of the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope.

Marina Whitten, the walk’s chair, has a personal connection to ovarian cancer, as her mother, Louise, was diagnosed with the disease in August 2013 and lost her battle in September 2014.

In the 1990s she was twice diagnosed with breast cancer and both times was successfully treated. At first, it was thought she suffered from a gallbladder issue, but that diagnosis was later changed to ovarian cancer, a fact her family quickly learned didn’t have a great outcome.

Since then, Whitten has become a national board member of Ovarian Cancer Canada and has been chairing the organizing committee for the walk in St. John’s, now for the second year in a row.

“The purpose of this event is to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, and gain funding and support for the cause. There are 2,800 diagnoses of ovarian cancer in Canada each year and 1,400 of those will die within five years. There has been no change in survivorship over the past 50 years,” Whitten said.

More money and research into ovarian cancer has to be done to make more information available and hopefully lead these women to better outcomes, Whitten said.

The Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope is the most powerful event of its kind in the country.

Organized in more than 35 communities nationwide, the walk directs all attention and funds to overcoming the most fatal women’s cancer.

Since 2002, the walk has raised more than $27 million. All proceeds from the walk are used to provide support, increase awareness and fund vital research.

This year’s walk will be held at Quidi Vidi Lake on Sept. 8. Registration and coffee will start at the Boathouse at 9 a.m.

The opening ceremony and warmup will be from 9:30-10 a.m., and at 10:50 a.m. the fun run for children begins.

The walk begins at 11 a.m. and will wrap up with closing ceremonies at 12 p.m.

All proceeds from the walk are used to provide support programs and resources to women affected, and to fund research.

Participants are encouraged to walk one kilometre or five kilometres, or enjoy a fun run that will start 10 minutes before the walk.

There will be lots of familyfriendly entertainment, including musical act The False Myths; Disney princesses Ariel and Cinderella from Spoonful of Sugar NL will make an appearance; and Rowena Watkins from Central Hoops will show off her hula hooping skills.

To register or donate, visit ovariancancerwalkofhope.ca.

A number of dignitaries will be involved with this year’s event, including Chief Justice Deborah Fry and St. John’s Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’leary.