September sees an incredible number of walks to raise funds to help beat cancer, a disease that tragically touches so many lives. Perhaps Terry Fox, one of the greatest Canadians was a big influence in making that happen. In September 1981 shortly after his death, the first Terry Fox Run was held in Canada and around the world. More than 300,000 people participated, raising $3.5 million. Terry Fox Runs are held yearly in 60 countries now and more than $ 360 million has been raised for cancer research. His legacy lives on in so many different ways.

One of the most innovative is the Paws for Hope walk-a-thon (les Pattes de l’Espoir). The first of these took place in 1993 thanks to a great initiative by a Canadian Cancer Society employee in Quebec City. Ms. Nichole Laderoute, who had been diagnosed with cancer, wanted to create a fundraising event that would be fun for the whole family and feature her loyal friend: her dog.

Since then it’s grown and is taking place at eight locations this year. We took part in the walk-a-thon at Parc Angrignon today and you couldn’t have met a more attractive and friendly group of people and dogs despite the somewhat threatening skies at early light. The event was officially opened by the Provincial Spokesperson, columnist Michel Girouard, and his dogs “Cachou” and “Sacha”. We then all took a three kilometre walk in the park around the lake and were blessed with sunny skies throughout. We all had lots of fun and raised $ 16,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society so it was a win/win situation. It now will become an annual event at this location.

If you’re sorry you missed it, then you can check out what it looked like in 2005. There is a final walk-a-thon in Brossard on Sunday, October 1st, at the Parc du centre canin international. Check out details with Fernande Houle (T: 450 442-9430) at the Longueuil Office. The Canadian Cancer Society’s Paws for Hope walk-a-thon is a fundraising activity sponsored on a provincial scale by Mondou and Royal Canin.

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