Steinbach Walk for Hope honours cancer journeys for survivors and memories of families

When John Hiebert was supporting his wife Becky through her cancer journey, his family was with him every step of the way.

The 72-year-old described her smile as contagious and said she was selfless and constantly “oozed” love for others until she died of ovarian cancer on July 22.

“When she was in the hospital, she couldn’t move around. The nurse was there, and Becky said to the nurse, ‘I’m sorry that you have to spend time with me. You should be spending it with other people,’ while she was helpless in her bed,” Hiebert said.

He was joined by 18 family and friends to remember Becky and walk in her honour during Southeast Cancer Support Service’s inaugural Walk for Hope on Saturday at Steinbach’s A.D. Penner Park. More than 250 people registered for the fundraising walk, and more than 100 others volunteered for the event. The non-profit offers multiple programs for cancer patients and families including transportation, support groups and head coverings.

Each of Hiebert’s relatives were outfitted with baby blue T-shirts — his wife’s favourite colour — printed with the words “Becky’s Crew.”

His sisters mentioned they wanted to participate in the walk to keep Becky’s memory alive, with one sister even deciding do the walk in Becky’s own shoes.

“They were there for the whole time,” Hiebert said. “Without that, it wouldn’t have been as easy because, let’s face it, if you have so many people behind you, supporting you and cheering you on, that really helps.”

Cindi Rempel Patrick, the charity’s executive director, said the decision to organize the walk was because every cancer diagnosis is the start of a new journey. She’s sees the event as a way to walk the journey alongside those who’ve survived cancer and honour “those we’ve loved and lost.”

Rempel Patrick survived her own bout of cancer, overcoming cervical cancer 12 years ago.

“It hits you like a brick wall, and your whole life stops and changes,” she said. “For those of us who’ve survived, there’s nothing more precious than that.”

Throughout her treatment, she said there was a village of people that supported and encouraged her when it became difficult. She said the Southeast Cancer Support Service wants fill the gap for people who don’t have a community to rely on.

“Everybody here today has brought their village, and for a lot of people, they don’t have a village. So then Southeast Cancer Support becomes the village,” Rempel Patrick said.

Many of the volunteers are also cancer survivors, she said, and want to give back to others going through the same experience because they’ve gone through it already.

The event included a free breakfast, cancer survivor stories and live music. By the end, Rempel Patrick said nearly $45,000 for the charity. Southeast Cancer Support Services serves 88 different communities in Manitoba.