Hope lives here
June 15, 2021
When I think back on the day Peggy Truscott came to tell me about an idea she had, it fills me with gratitude to have known such a force of nature. In the midst of her treatment, Peggy was determined to create a time and space for those like her who were affected by ovarian cancer. That day, she was looking to get t‑shirts produced, and I wasn’t about to stand in her way.
I can remember driving up to the first walk at the crack of dawn to find Peggy and her family marking the route with sunflowers. Though this happened twenty years ago, her absolute elation as she greeted her fellow support group members stays with me even still.
That’s how the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope was born. It takes my breath away to think that Peggy’s vision turned into the country’s largest event to focus all attention and fundraising on ovarian cancer.
Just recently, I heard from Peggy’s daughter, Sarah, who shared that her mother was being recognized with a Meritorious Service Cross, one of the highest honours in the country. Awarded by the Governor General of Canada, this is an important acknowledgement of Peggy’s pivotal role in establishing the Walk to the benefit of people nationwide.
Over the years, the Walk has grown and evolved, touching down from coast to coast to coast, wherever there are willing volunteers. I’ve been fortunate to attend the Walk in many cities and towns across Canada.
Early on, participants often approached me to ask why they saw pink breast cancer awareness ribbons everywhere. This in spite of everything being done to raise the teal flag and address ovarian cancer. I assured them that we were just getting started. Then one year, I saw people taking ownership of the teal movement, when a team turned up with their hair brightly dyed. All of them wearing shirts made with love in honour of the woman they held in their hearts.
Another year, as I walked along the waterfront in Ajax, Ontario, I noticed a woman sitting on a bench midway through the route. I asked about her reasons for joining the Walk and she shared that her daughter had died from ovarian cancer. Just recently, I heard from this very woman, who still remembers how we sat together quietly that afternoon.
As I think on our 2021 Walk, my mind goes to team called the Tovey Sisters Sh*t Show, a memorable name to be sure. It was emblazoned loud and proud across the t‑shirts they’d designed for Walk day. After first seeing the team, I began to spot members in other locations wearing the same shirts and learned they had team members right across the country. So while they couldn’t necessarily be together on Walk day, their shirts were their demonstration of solidarity across the miles.
Of course, this is about much more than t‑shirts. It’s about finding connection on Walk day this September 12. As we continue to prioritize the health and wellbeing of our community, the event will be entirely virtual, meaning you can walk wherever you are and however you like. This makes it more important than ever to show up for the community and represent this important cause.
Beyond the crucial funds we’ll raise, we may just help break through isolation on Walk day. Because really there is no telling who you will see along your route. If you were to notice a Teal Sister or someone with a Walk hat, buff or t‑shirt, a friendly wave would be a powerful reminder that while we are walking apart, no one is walking alone.
Indeed, hope lives here. And it’s alive and well.
This Walk day is particularly meaningful to me personally as it will be my last as CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada. As stories pour from far and wide, I’ll take a few moments to sit with my thoughts and whisper words of thanks to my dear friend Peggy. Just as I’ve done every September for nearly twenty years. Because this event is truly changing lives.
In addition to rallying a community of support, the Walk raises vital funds to advance Ovarian Canada Canada’s mission to help women live fuller, better, longer lives. To date, participants just like you have raised over $30 million. Every dollar is put to immediate use, providing support, improving care, and advancing research.
Join us this Sunday, September 12 for the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope, registration is now open at ovariancancerwalkofhope.ca.