Sisters walking the talk in ovarian cancer fight
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/08/2022 (1460 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
There’s a lot of talk about grace and grit these days, and Christa Slatnik and Cindy Sanchez each have both.
When their mother, Cheryl Pragnell, died of ovarian cancer, the identical twins and best friends saw the loss as an opportunity to make a difference.
For the past 18 years, Slatnik and Sanchez have volunteered their time co-chairing the Walk of Hope, an annual event organized by Ovarian Cancer Canada that raises money to fund research into prevention, improved treatments and a cure.
“(Co-chairing the walk) is something we can do where we feel we can add value and meaning to the loss,” Slatnik says. “We can take the worst thing that ever happened to us, turn it into a positive and help other people through it.”
The twins describe their mom as a driven, passionate person, who was an outstanding mother, wife and friend.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and although she was a nurse, Pragnell initially dismissed those she was experiencing. She was diagnosed in 1998, and died two years later.
Slatnik and Sanchez were in their early 20s and had just graduated with nursing degrees of their own when their mother died.
The twins started working on the same gyne-oncology unit where she was initially diagnosed and treated, starting their lifelong dedication to the fight against ovarian cancer.
When the inaugural Walk of Hope was held in 2004, Slatnik and Sanchez volunteered as spokespeople for the event. They moved into their current role the following year.
One of the things they most enjoy about the event is it’s a family affair. Their husbands and children participate, along with their father and step-mother, aunts, an uncle, cousins and cousins’ children.
“Every year, we take that moment to walk with our family in remembrance of mom,” Sanchez says.
The Walk of Hope was held virtually in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There will still be a virtual option for this year’s walk, which takes place Sept. 11, but Slatnik and Sanchez are excited the in-person event will return to Kildonan Park.
While much of the groundwork for this year’s walk has already been laid, Slatnik and Sanchez are looking for more volunteers to join the organizing committee and more volunteers to help on the day of the event. (Anyone interested can email winnipegwalkofhope@yahoo.ca for details.)
“Even if people just have questions or want to sit in on a meeting to see what it’s like, they can get in touch,” Slatnik says.
“We always like to make sure it’s not intimidating,” Sanchez adds. “People can sign up for as much or as little as they want to do.”
In addition to their work with the Walk of Hope, Slatnik and Sanchez volunteer at their children’s schools.
“Mom always instilled in us the importance of making the world a better place,” Slatnik says.
It’s an idea she and Sanchez are trying to instill in their own children, who help out at the Walk of Hope.
“It feels amazing to now be moms ourselves and pass that on to them,” Slatnik says. “Hopefully, it will just be ingrained in them and they will always be volunteers.”
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. is seeking volunteers to help make Elmwood’s first Night Market possible. The event will be held at 180 Poplar Ave. on Aug. 26, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Volunteer hours are 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Refreshments will be available. Contact Mitchell at cnrhr@chalmersrenewal.org or 204-699-0750 by Friday.
Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue is seeking a race director to plan and organize the yearly Run Your Heart Out 5-km and 8-km walk/run this September. The director will co-ordinate volunteers, manage the registration website and organize participants on the day of the event. Previous experience as a race director is an asset. Email recruit@manitobamutts.org before Aug. 30.
CNIB needs volunteers who are friendly and have excellent communication skills. The role is as a companion for someone who is blind or partially sighted (providing companionship, going for coffee, reading mail, going for a walk). Cleaning, personal care or home repairs are not allowed in this program. Must pass criminal record and child abuse registry checks. Email ashley.nemeth@cnib.ca by Aug. 31.
Reaching E-Quality Employment Services is seeking board members who have expertise in law, outreach and marketing, social media and fundraising. This is an opportunity for people who are passionate about helping people achieve sustainable employment opportunities. Experience on a board of directors would be beneficial but not mandatory. Email ldabrowski@re-es.org by Aug. 31.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority needs bilingual support assistants. Volunteers will provide supportive assistance by assembling blank charts, filing, assisting with supply replenishment and helping with special projects related to files. Must be bilingual (English, French) and volunteer at least one four-hour shift per week — between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (times flexible) on a Monday, Thursday or Friday — for a minimum of three months. Previous experience in administrative support is preferred. Email smilotte@wrha.mb.ca or call 204-583-1469 before Sept. 15.
1JustCity is seeking volunteer housing mentors for all three sites. Mentors will work with guests to help them understand their housing needs and provide short-term support. This might include helping guests look for housing vacancies, printing out applications and referring to community resources. Email jawslead@1justcity.ca and housing@1justcity.ca or go to 1justcity.ca/volunteer to apply. The deadline is Sept. 30.
Urban Stable needs volunteers to join its board of directors and help youth who face barriers and adversity unbridle their potential through hands-on activities with horses. Two people are being sought with experience/expertise in fundraising; web design, management and marketing; event planning and sponsorship; human resources and policies; diversity, equity and inclusion; or IT governance. Send a brief resumé and letter of interest highlighting how you can contribute to board@urbanstable.ca. Learn more at urbanstable.ca. The deadline is Friday.
The Manitoba division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada needs event weekend volunteers for MS Bike Gimli on Aug. 26-27. Duties include setup and take-down, food co-ordination and prep, rest stops, check-in and registration, and serving as route marshals and greeters. Email jillian.howie@mssociety.ca before Aug. 24.
Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) is seeking board members for the term commencing in November. This volunteer role includes a commitment of about five hours per month. Board directors attend a monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month and serve on one or more committees (finance, governance, human resources, development). New board members will receive orientation. Ongoing training and development assistance is available. For more information, go to http://wfp.to/ohJ. The deadline to apply is Aug. 31.
The Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba is seeking board members who are passionate, community-minded and want to play a part in reducing the impact of anxiety disorders on Manitobans. A background in mental health, specifically anxiety, is preferred. Previous experience in child and youth psychology, law, human resources or fundraising is an asset. Call 204-925-0600 or email adam@adam.mb.ca by Aug. 31.
Habitat for Humanity Manitoba is recruiting skilled volunteers to help in its critical repair program, a new initiative that will help low-income homeowners complete essential repairs. These repairs will enable families to stay in their own homes. Candidates must commit on a part-time, flexible basis (weekdays only), for 7.5 hours on average. Send a brief cover letter and resuméto kkluger@habitat.mb.ca before Oct. 31.
Villa Rosa needs volunteers for its parent/child centre. If you love babies; are 19 or older; are experienced with infants; possess strength, an excellent sense of balance, mobility and endurance; and have the ability to play on the floor, this opportunity might be for you. Shifts are one half day per week, Monday to Friday, morning or afternoon, throughout the school year. Email volunteers@villarosa.mb.ca or apply online at villarosa.mb.ca by Dec. 1.
Siloam Mission is seeking groups of volunteers to help sort generous donations from Manitobans. There are stacks of bags and boxes that need going through. Bring your families, friends 0r colleagues. Volunteers, who won’t have any contact with clients, will help bring dignity to people who need clothing, personal hygiene and household items. Email volunteer@siloam.ca or apply online at siloam.ca/volunteer before Jan. 1.
West Broadway Youth Outreach is seeking book bike volunteers to spend summer days cycling to different parks and other areas to engage and read with children. Volunteers will hand out library cards that, once stamped 10 times, can be traded in for an ice cream at any Zeid’s Food Fare location in Winnipeg. Patient, fun-loving people who speak and write English, French or Spanish are encouraged to apply. Email wbyokidz@gmail.com, call 204-774-0451 or apply online at http://wfp.to/ohv.
The Canadian Red Cross is seeking volunteers. When disaster strikes, you can help, and the Red Cross can show you how. Go to www.redcross.ca/volunteer, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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