Four courageous Ponoka women are walking to make a difference in the Weekend To End Breast Cancer on Aug. 8 to 10 in Edmonton.
Jackie Huysmans, Nicole Norn, Alva Wombold and Carol Morrow will walk 60 kilometers over two days to raise funds for breast cancer. The event, now in its third year, has raised $17 million with all funds going directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
Huysmans, who is currently in the top ten for fundraising, has been affected by breast cancer for most of her life. When she was young both of her grandmothers were diagnosed and treated for the disease. In 1997 her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away in December of 2004 when she was 54. Only six months later, her sister Teena, who was eight months pregnant, found a lump in her breast. Her sister had to undergo a lumpectomy before the baby was born. In July 2005, her sister delivered a healthy baby girl. Teena had to undergo chemotherapy and had a double mastectomy; her battle with cancer ended in April 2007.
“I am taking the 60 kilometer journey in memory of my mom and sister. Along the way I am sure to cry (lots), laugh with friends, get sore feet, meet a ton of new people and raise some money in the hopes to find a cure,” said Huysmans in a statement.
Each woman has a different reason to walk.
For Norn she is looking forward to the event and the memories that will last a lifetime.
“It is in memory of all those that I’ve had the blessing of knowing that have lost their battle with this terrible disease, those that are in the battle of their lives right now and those that have battled and won,” said Norn. “I’m sure there will be many tears, lots of laughs, tons of emotions.”
Wombold is also looking forward to her adventure on the ‘Road To Victory’ during the weekend.
“It is in memory of the women who have died and to honour their families whom we have served through our funeral homes in Bashaw, Wetaskiwin and here in Ponoka,” said Wombold.
Morrow is walking in memory of Barb Scherrens and is walking for a simple reason that each of these women will achieve.
“I am walking because one person can make a difference,” said Morrow.
Each woman must raise a minimum of $2,000 to be able to walk in the event, however; some hope to raise more such as Huysmans who has a goal of $8,000 and has already raised over $6,000.
For more information on the walk you can visit www.endcancer.ca and go to the Edmonton area. If you would like to learn more about each walker and how to donate you can search the site using their first and last names and id number; Huysmans’ ID is 220849-7, Norn’s ID is 220852-3, Wombold’s ID is 220749-6 and Morrow’s ID is 221045-8.