Virtual Brain Tumour Walk to be held on June 27

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This article was published 24/06/2020 (1925 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Pam and Mike Gordon are preparing to put their best feet forward.    

That’s because the Royalwood residents will both soon be taking part in the 15th annual Brain Tumour Walk hosted by the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

Like many events this spring and summer, organizers had to pivot due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, so this year’s event will be held virtually on Sat., June 27 across the nation.

The goal of the event is to connect thousands of walkers across Canada to celebrate and support everyone affected by a brain tumour, including survivors, caregivers, health-care professionals, and researchers who are leading the way in finding the cause of, and a cure for, brain tumours, organizers say.

“We have quickly had to pivot everything to a virtual walk and make sure that everyone would be safe,” said Pam, who is the co-chair of the Winnipeg walk, noting she had organized “lots of extras” this year in terms of live entertainment, and special guest appearances. “This has been a huge learning curve, and so many things had to be changed.”

On the bright side, Pam said, it has provided the opportunity for the event’s theme  to evolve into a cross-Canada event on the same day. She said June 27 was chosen “to represent that every day in our country 27 people will hear the words, ‘you have a brain tumour.’”

In 2011, her husband Mike — a former industrial arts teacher at Dakota Collegiate — was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Since the couple first spoke to The Lance in 2019 in the run-up to last year’s walk, Mike has joined the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Virtual Support Group to give back and help others that are newly diagnosed by co-chairing an online support group that runs every two weeks. Mike said it’s been a rewarding and positive experience for him, as it gives others the chance to benefit from his support and experience, and it’s also a nod to those who have helped him along the way.

“Some people are dealing with memory loss or fatigue, and others are dealing with depression, as things can be hard to handle at first,” Mike said.

“To be involved with this community is very rewarding. I was teacher for many years, and it reminds me of that. This has a lot of intrinsic value, and I enjoy doing it.”

Pam said the turnout at last year’s event was heartwarming, and she’s looking forward to a healthy turnout this year — albeit a virtual one.

“Last year, I was very impressed with all the people, and the positivity was amazing, especially seeing so many people helping loved ones. I was really impressed by the turnout,” she said, adding that participants can take part simply on foot or using any mode of transport they desire, including bikes and rollerblades.

“Mike put all his energy into the day, and enjoyed seeing so many people.”

Visit www.braintumour.ca for more information and to register, or visit the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada on Facebook.