#WhoIsYourWhy? - Mine is my Three Children

My interest and level of engagement in fundraising for cancer research or care did not just begin when I started working at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation two years ago.  It has been an important cause to me my whole life.

You see, cancer took my maternal grandfather from me before I ever really knew him - I was just a baby.  Cancer also took my great grandmother before that - but then I never knew her... More recently, cancer has taken from me - a number of friends, family and people in my community and my life.

I want to do what I can to make sure that three of the most important people in my life, my children- can grow up in a world where perhaps cancer may be conquered.  That rather than losing people to the disease, we find ways to help them manage and in effect - live with it rather than lose a battle to it.

So while I spend my days as a member of an amazing team of people who work to raise significant funds (Golf to Conquer Cancer has raised over $2.1 Million in just the first two years) in support of one of the Top 5 cancer research centres in the world - Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - I also participate in special fundraising events as an individual - at the grassroots and in the community - because that is personal. Very personal.

Earlier this year I ran 8 kms in the Harry Rosen Spring Run and raised around $2500.00 for the cause. Now in the month of September I am participating in two events: The Shoppers Drug Mart OneWalk to Conquer ALL Cancers (Sept. 12th) AND in my 3rd ever Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer .

I named childhood cancers as my area of need to support through the OneWalk - in honour of my three children - who while perfectly healthy themselves - deserve to live a long full life without fear of this disease.

For Road Hockey, my fundraising dollars will go to the area of highest priority at Princess Margaret. I was to play in honour of two friends, a colleague and a team mate from the rugby community who lost their battles with cancer 10 years ago and in 2013.  But now I also have a new inspiration - for both events. Someone else that will be in my thoughts as I walk and pound the pavement playing hockey.

Two of my kids have friends who just lost their father this week.  My community lost a man that was an educator, a coach a mentor and a friend - after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

On September 12th I will walk and remember Scott. Then again on September 26th I will think of him as I play road hockey, because like me - he had a family - two beautiful kids that he was raising with his wife in their image - they are wonderful kids and the did not deserve this.

Together, we can do something. We can participate, we can spread the word and create awareness, and we can donate to raise the kind of funds it takes to support research in to the #1 cause of death in Canada that directly impacts 40% of Canadians today.

I'm doing what I can, and I hope you might share this story with friends and colleagues in the hopes that they might get involved, and perhaps even consider supporting my fundraising efforts in either of these two worthwhile events.

Donations of any kind are warmly received and sincerely appreciated at OneWalk or at Road Hockey.

For my friends, my family and the future of our children.

Thank you