Today, thousands of Canadian women are living with ovarian cancer and another 3,100 will be diagnosed this year.I have had time to reflect on my own Ovarian Cancer survival, now into it's 16th. year. This thankfully long survival is not a regular story. I have witnessed too many losses of wonderful women of every age, nationality, and religious persuasion in that time. This disease is a complicated and difficult to treat illness and I can verify, no two stories are alike. The impact on families though is huge.

Each of these women is central to a family. Every one of these women has people who love her. Just being there to support and honour her means everything. That’s why I’m joining the thousands of other participants at the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope.

The Walk celebrates the hope I carry with me every day – the hope for a future with a diagnostic tool to find this disease in the early stages when outcomes are favourable, and the research to find a medication that is effective on a permanent basis.

Every dollar I raise supports Ovarian Cancer Canada, the only national charity that champions the health and well-being of women with ovarian cancer and others at risk of this disease. Funds will be used to fund vital research, spur advocacy efforts, and provide support so that we can help women with, or at risk of, ovarian cancer live fuller, better, longer lives.

Please give generously. Better yet, this year’s Walk in Guelph Kitchener/Waterloo  will again  be at the much loved Arboretum with a walk in nature. Together we can make a difference.

Thank you so much for your participation.