Six Squamish women who have all been touched by cancer in one way or another have set out to make a difference.
Not only have they been walking for miles and miles throughout the past five months, they've also been raising thousands of dollars in the process, lending their hearts, willpower and determination in the ongoing battle to end breast cancer.
CloAnne Morasse, Wendy Gray, Shannon Allen, Lail Weeks, Andrea Fischer and Helen Croza will be participating in the B.C. Cancer Foundation's inaugural Weekend to End Breast Cancer Walk this weekend in Vancouver. The ladies will be walking 30 km a day for two days alongside thousands of other men and women who have rallied behind the cause.
Their personal sacrifice has helped them to earn thousands of dollars for the charity event, but they've also had plenty of help along the way.
"I have been blown away with the response from our community," said Team Squamish member CloAnne Morasse. "Between the six of us, we'll be close to $23,000 or $24,000 raised."
Team Squamish consists of Morasse, Wendy Gray and Shannon Allen. Together they have raised nearly $15,000, with Gray raising nearly $10,000 herself.
"We've found that through fundraising and spreading awareness, that almost everyone we talk to has been touched by cancer in some way or another."
The ladies have been walking nearly everyday in preparation for the 60-km, two-day walk, which seeks to raise millions of dollars for cancer research. They have recently completed a 20-km walk in one day, followed by 10 km the next. Although that's only half the distance they'll walk in this weekend's fundraiser, they're confident that they will walk the full distance and make a difference.
"We got a taste of what it was like,' said Morasse. "I'm excited and the rest of the group is too. We're glad it's finally here."
Because the women have received such a positive response from the community, they already have a goal in mind for next year's event.
"We'd like to have 10 people walk for Team Squamish and raise $50,000. We know we can reach that goal and we can make a difference."
