Every three hours, one Canadian woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Every five hours, someone dies to the disease. Ovarian cancer is Canada's most fatal women's cancer. It is difficult to detect and often found in late stages. There is still no screening test, and many people know nothing about it.
But there are many advances being made in research — right here in B.C. — that could change the way ovarian cancer is treated, and possibly prevented. And a fundraising walk is being held in Chilliwack Sept. 13 that will help continue to fund that research.
The Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope will take place along the Rotary Trail, starting at the Vedder River bridge. It is just one walk of many across the country, and organizers say that together they are Canada's largest and most powerful event to direct all attention and funds to ovarian cancer.
Started as a community event in 2002, the Walk is a place for survivors and families who have been touched by the disease to form a circle of support. Today, the event is organized in 45 communities nationwide by local volunteers.
All funds raised support Ovarian Cancer Canada, the only national charity dedicated to overcoming this disease.
The walk will be 2.5 km, but will also include a 5K fun run, and a 1K kids run.
Registration and morning coffee is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., with opening ceremonies and warm up at 8:45 a.m., and the walk will run from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Following the walk, there will be free refreshments, team and participant recognition, and a children's fun area.
The event is rain or shine, and there are already teams and participants signed up online.
For information, visit ovariancancerwalkofhope.ca.
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