The difference a weekend of walking can make

This past weekend we celebrated the 9th anniversary of Journey to Conquer Cancer, a family walk or run between 1 and 5 kms with over 1,000 supporters that raised $1.2 million, as well as the 20th anniversary of The Walk to Conquer Cancer, with over 1,500 walkers raising over $3 million – all for life-saving cancer research at The Princess Margaret. The opening ceremonies for both events were held at Yonge-Dundas Square. and I’ve attached some photos in case you weren’t there or haven’t seen the coverage on social or the major news networks.

In the case of The Walk to Conquer Cancer, our incredible walkers and their supporters have raised over $193 million for life-saving cancer research since 2002. This year, we asked our participants to consider walking 20 kms for our 20th anniversary, and one of our walkers asked me what’s changed in cancer outcomes over the past twenty years because of cancer research? What difference has walking over these past two decades really made, one might wonder? Here are eight answers:

1. Twenty years ago, 1 in 2 Canadians (50%) were diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Today it’s 2 in 5 (40%).
2. Twenty years ago, fewer people survived cancer. But today, advances in radiation, chemotherapy and targeted treatments have improved survival, especially for people with cancers of the breast, prostrate, lung, liver, colon, or rectum and especially those diagnosed between the ages of 50-65. In some cancers, the risk of death has decreased by 50% from twenty years ago.
3. Twenty years ago, there was no precision medicine. Cancer was treated with a one-size-fits-all approach, instead of treating cancer based on detailed genetic information about a person’s specific cancer.
4. Twenty years ago, we thought DNA mutations were the only causes of cancer. Today we know that both DNA mutations and epigenetic changes – changes in how genes behave that don’t involve changes to the gene itself – can also cause cancer.
5. Twenty years ago, we did not know that cancer cells have abnormal metabolisms that help them multiply and spread quickly. Today, we have new drugs that can kill cancer cells by interfering with their metabolism.
6. Twenty years ago, we did not know how cancer spreads (metastasizes). And once cancer metastasizes from one place in the body to another, the chances of survival decrease. But we now know that cancer cells get help spreading from other types of cells and substances in the immediate area around the tumor. We are closer to understanding the features of cancer cells that must be present for metastasis to happen.
7. Twenty years ago, immunotherapy, harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, was new. Today, there are multiple types of immunotherapy, including CAR-T cell immunotherapy; and
8. Twenty years ago, we knew smoking was linked to cancer, but didn’t understand that obesity is too. In fact, the rates of six obesity-related cancers are rising faster among adults under age 50 than among older adults in Canada and the US.

Twenty years ago in 2002, the world was a very different place: President George W. Bush occupied the White House, the late Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Golden Jubilee, Kelly Clarkson won the first American Idol contest, the Euro became the official currency of twelve of the European Union's Members, and the average cost of a new house was $228,700.

Some have said the world was also a simpler place twenty years ago, and perhaps it was. But if you, or someone you love, was dealing with cancer in 2002, it certainly wasn’t a better place.

And that’s why we walk (or run or push a child’s stroller or a wheelchair of a loved one with cancer, or walk our dogs, as so many of our supporters did this past weekend). Because we know that with every step and with every dollar raised, we are making a better world for cancer patients. And together, we’re getting closer to Conquering Cancer in our Lifetime.

Wishing you a great week!

Best,

Miyo

?Events News:

At the end of August, Denise Belman Coaching organized the 2nd annual Epic Epping Challenge through our #DIY fundraising platform. #TeamJoanne and #TeamErin came together with their riding community in Collingwood/Thornbury, not only raising more than $100,000 for cancer research at The Princess Margaret, but putting on a fabulous, well-organized event for dedicated riders in the community. I cannot thank you and Jochen enough for your dedication and commitment to the Foundation.

Haven’t worn your party clothes in a few years and feel like getting out for a luxurious evening of entertainment and uplifting talks? Please consider attending the One Life Gala on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7 pm, presented by Assante Wealth Management in support of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. To register, click here.

Missed Journey to Conquer Cancer or The Walk to Conquer Cancer? It’s still not too late to catch one of our cool Peer to Peer fundraising events in 2022. Consider playing or supporting a team at Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer on Saturday, October 1.

Finally, season 4 of the UHN Research podcast "Behind the Breakthrough" is set to launch on Wednesday, October 12?with ten all new episodes. Each Wednesday through to December 14?Behind the Breakthrough (uhn.ca) will feature in-depth and compelling conversations with UHN scientists about their groundbreaking discoveries and intriguing personal stories of their journey to becoming researchers. For example, we learn that world renowned stem cell scientist Dr. Gordon Keller grew up on a mixed farm in rural Saskatchewan and would return to help his parents with the fall harvest throughout his undergrad and PhD years. Dr. Lorraine Kalia trained for years to be a ballerina and rose to the corps de ballet of the National Ballet of Portugal before pivoting her career to searching for a diagnostic tool that could detect CTE, the degenerative brain disease that affects people who suffer concussions. And Dr. Jonathan Irish was on a path to competing for Canada at the Olympics in the sport of canoeing before he decided helping patients conquer cancer was his chosen path!?