Southeast Cancer Support Services holding first walk for cancer survivors

The walk to celebrate. They walk to remember. They walk for life. This is what Southeast Cancer Support Services (SCSS) is hoping its Walk For Hope will come to symbolize.

“It’s a very special and rich kind of day,” said Bev Dueck, board member of SCSS and Walk For Hope chair. “We’re holding the walk in order to be an encouragement for people who are dealing with cancer and it’s also a time to reflect and remember people with cancer who have passed.”

The one-day event will be held on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at A.D. Penner Park in Steinbach. Teams of participants will do laps around the pond to raise money for the services that SCSS provides, such as rides to doctor’s appointments and peer support groups.

“There’s a survivors lap and anybody who has had a cancer diagnosis can be part of the survivors lap,” said Dueck. “It’s led by a bagpiper and by an RCMP honour guard and they do one lap of what the walk would be. It’s really a way of cheering people on through a really hard thing.”

Three laps is a kilometre and some, like Dueck, will be doing laps symbolizing the distance some with cancer have to go for treatment.

“I picked 70 kilometres because it would have been the distance my mom would have gone for radiation treatment..,” said Dueck. “Some people will pick other distances. Teams can pick a distance that is significant for them.”

SCSS is encouraging businesses and teams to register by July 15 in order to receive promotion on the organization’s website and social media. Teams have until the beginning of September to register. The first 10 teams to register will receive four free tickets to the Country Night Concert at the Southeast Events Centre on Sept. 20.

“We’re a new organization so the support that we’ve been getting from the community has been outstanding and speaks to the need, but also to how so many people have been effected by a cancer diagnosis,” said Dueck. “These fundraisers are really what gives us the means to help people with rides or other practical needs as they go through their cancer journey. It’s incredible how the community has come alongside. We value that so much.”

SCSS’ Hope in Heels Fashion Gala at the Steinbach Events Centre in April was attended by 450 people raising $48,000. It’s hoped that the Walk For Hope will be just as successful.

To register your team visit secancersupport.ca.