Supporters of the ever popular Stride Against Cancer next week promise another massive turn out.
It is organised by the Cayman Islands Cancer Society and is the organisation’s largest fundraising event. The funds raised help finance the society’s many programmes and activities.
It is on Sunday 29 January and is in two venues. Stride Against Cancer in George Town starts and ends at the Public Beach on West Bay Road. The long course is half marathon length of 13.1 miles and starts at 6am. The short course is 6.5 miles and starts at 7am.
Stride Against Cancer in North Side starts at 7am at the North Side Boat Launch and ends at The Kaibo, a distance of around six miles. Transportation back to the start in Old Man Bay will be provided.
Cancer touches everyone. What makes Stride Against Cancer different from other charity walk/run events is the connection that participants and volunteers feel with each other and with the cause. There are over 1,300 participants and more than 100 volunteers at the two venues. Both events are non-competitive.
Additionally, school children all around the island Stride Against Cancer within their schools on the Friday before the main Stride events.
One participant will be the very brave Anne Clarke who is battling a catalogue of health issues but still has the spirit to make an appearance.
She is diabetic, has a brain tumour and suffers from sleep apnea and high blood pressure. “Entering Stride is a personal fight against cancer and a challenge to myself and my doctor to see if I can do it, because I’m also a narcoleptic with cataplexy and recovering from a minor stroke
“I’ve lost over 100lbs in the last two years. My advice is to follow a safe and healthy diet plan, but exercise must play a major role. Also be closely monitored by a doctor. There are no magic wands or drugs that will melt the fat off and even though for cases with severe medical issues, some has been given as their last hope, the option to have weight loss surgery, you still have to work at it. The surgery is just a tool to assist you and make the journey easier.”
Clarke is a mother of three and works as a library administrator. She will have her caregiver and good friend Terryann Wright along with her on Stride. They walk together at 5am every day.
Clarke, 44, added: “It is important to have the support of our family, friends and employers and colleagues. With that being said I want to thank my children, other close relatives, good friends Paula Anderson and Terryann Wright, for their love and support. A big thank you to my co-workers at the Public Libraries especially Juliet Lawson, thank you also to Blake and Peter Beckford for their support during my struggles.”
“Cayman make this your new year resolution to become physically active, you can only benefit from it, and whether your personal goal is to lose weight or to fight for a worthy cause, whatever, find the motivation do it.
“The Stride Against Cancer walk for me is a personal challenge, one more step in my journey to taking back control of my life, because just a short time ago, long walks for a cause such as this or even just as a daily exercise was just a dream. During the past two years I have spent more time in the hospital than it seem I’ve spent out, and just when I think I have this illness beaten, I get knocked of my feet again, literally. The staff at Baptist Hospital in Miami all know me by name and I’ve probably should have my personal bed set up in the emergency room at HSA.
“While everyone has a personal battle, having cancer, whatever type is devastating, and it’s one of the cruellest diseases a person can be diagnosis with, and I am happy to take part in this stride against it. Will this walk be easy for me? Maybe not, my doctor does not seem to think that I will be able to complete it actually, but I will try.”
Stride Against Cancer 2012 is on Sunday 29 January. The cost is $25. For more information contact Ann McFarland on 925-1899
Related Videos
