Cross Canada Cure... by the numbers

Breyden Erickson set out 9 weeks ago from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver BC on a mission to walk across Canada to raise money for cancer research. His geographical progress has been incredible, (he should be in Saskatchewan by tomorrow!!!) but we need help with his fundraising goal.  This 18 year old young man is doing an incredible and selfless thing to try to help others.  Please take a few minutes and make a donation to his Canadian Cancer Society fundraising page.

He is currently just west of Medicine Hat and will be at these southern Saskatchewan communities on the following dates.. well estimated, depending on weather and other conditions.  He is WALKING after all. Watch for him and the support vehicle and stop by and say hello.

Medicine Hat    May 30

AB/SK border  June 1

Maple Creek    June 2

Gull Lake         June 6

Swift Current    June 7

Herbert            June 9

Emfold             June 10

Chaplin            June 11

Mortlach          June 12

Caronport        June 12

Moose Jaw      June 13

Regina             June 15

Cross Canada Cure by the numbers:

1          Percent of funds have been raised to date towards Breyden’s goal of $323,323.00. C’mon Canada, we can do this!
2          Nights the team has stayed at Tillebrook Provincial Campground in Brooks, AB. Thanks to Alberta
            Parks for the great RV site!
5          Mayors met to date.
7          Toenails left….
14        Percent of all new cases of cancer are lung cancer. www.cancer.ca
15        Kilometers walked along the Fraser Canyon by Alex, Breyden’s 10 year old cousin, on April 7^th.
18        Years old.
26        Days since Breyden’s “Team” started travelling with him in the Cross Canada Cure RV.
46        Million dollars. In 2011–2012, the Canadian Cancer Society funded more than $46 million in             leading-edge research supporting close to 300 projects across the country. www.cancer.ca
52        Kilometers walked on Monday, May 27
58        Kilometers walked on Wednesday, April 10 – a personal record
62        Percent of Canadians diagnosed with cancer are expected to survive for 5 years or more after a cancer diagnosis. www.cancer.ca
67        Days since Breyden dipped his sneakers into the Pacific Ocean at Horseshoe Bay, BC
195      More days of walking
200      Canadians will die from cancer every day, on average. www.cancer.ca
213      Total Blog views so far today!
220      Dollars received for scrapping Breyden’s car, to helping fund his walk.
1,338   Kilometers walked so far
2103    Total overall Blog views
186,400  Estimated new cases of cancer in Canada in 2012. www.cancer.ca

Breyden and the TeamBreyden road crew.

Brooks Alberta

I texted briefly with Breyden last night.  He and the support team headed out of Brooks Alberta yesterday and are continuing on his walk. The weather has improved and he is working extra hard to make up some of the lost time due to the strong Headwinds they experienced last week.  HE WALKED 52 KILOMETERS Sunday alone!  He is more determined than ever to reach his donations target. and all of us on the support team are resolved to help him  accomplish  that goal.

He has come a long way since leaving Horseshoe  Bay, BC just over 2 months ago, but still has a long way to go to achieve his fundraising goal.   

cancer sucks

I find, for myself, that I can get caught up in Bryeden's walk and how he is doing and where he is etc. Then suddenly something happens to remind me again of his cause and the importance of what he is doing and the need to find a cure for cancer once and for all.

A few months ago a dear friend of mine lost his husband to this terrible disease.  It was a heartbreaking time and they both  keep very close to all of their friends and family while he was in treatment. While his husband was more of a quiet and private person, my friend kept his friends and family close and informed as to what was going on with them and the cancer treatment process on almost a daily basis.  The response, support and love that people gave back to them both was overwhelming and, as he expressed many times, a great source of comfort to them both.  He posted regularly on facebook, sent e-mails and tried to visit with as many friends as they could.  He took the time to read each reply and comment to his husband.  I personally am glad that they chose to be so open about their struggles as it gave me a chance to be closer to them during this very difficult time for them.  It also made me feel that maybe in some small way I was actually being of help by offering my support, sympathy and love as regularly as I could.

My friend committed every minute of his day to attending to and caring for his partner.  He took on dealing with a variety of doctors, specialists, hospitals, medications and treatments. They often had to travel to a larger city to get the necessary test and treatments.  When his condition got worse he took leave from work and stayed home and tended to his needs.

When they met and started going out years ago I was so happy for my friend to have found someone. As the years went on it was so evident that their love and commitment to each other was that very rare and amazing kind that we all dream of having someday.  When I head the news I was absolutely heartbroken for them both.  I thought that he is so undeserving of this and has to be one of the ones that pulls through and becomes a survivor.  I got angry at the great unfairness of life.  I can only imagine how they felt.

And now I have just heard that another friend of mine lost his mother to cancer just 2 days ago.  I never had the pleasure of meeting her but my friend also shared a bit about what was happening to friends and family.  She was a wonderful and active woman who was still out giving back to her community.  Someone who was loved, needed and deserving of many more years.

There are so many other people who are also deserving of many more years but sadly the statistics are not very promising.  According to the Canadian Cancer Society 2 out of 5 Canadians are expected to develop cancer in their lifetime.  The survival rate for all types of cancer combined is currently 62%.  After doing a bit of research on this I realized how urgent it is to find a cure for this disease.  It makes me all the more proud of what Breyden is doing and determined to help however I can.  It is time to find a cure for this horrible disease once and for all.  We cannot do it with will and resolve alone. It takes research and funding.

cancer sucks.  Please make a donation and help find a cure.

Cross Canada Cure fundraising page

Headwinds

This week there were some strong headwinds and rain near the Bow Valley.  Here is an update directly from the support team.

“We have run into some adverse weather, three days of strong headwinds and today it’s been raining as well. Breyden persevered for 12 kilometers but then had to take a break, soaking wet and exhausted. Right now we are sitting in the Central Bow Valley School yard, plugged into one of their car plug outlets in the hamlet of Gleichen, Courtesy of the Principal Mrs. E. McLane and the Maintenance Supervisor Don Hartman. I might add we are very grateful and appreciate the support.

Another interesting thing today. When Breyden left this morning the headwind was very strong and it was raining quite hard, he was concerned that many would stop to offer him a ride. So he chose to go down a right angled side road, we drove beside him with the mother ship acting as a wind barrier. Three of the locals on the side road (Range Rd 232, Anonymous, Judy and Brenda offered $20.00 each towards the cause, thank you folks for your kind donations. There is always a bright side to everything if we look for it”

Wow!  That gives me such a strong visual of Breyden, head down and determined, striving ever forward against the elements to achieve his goal despite the odds. It’s quite a real-life interpretation of our fight to cure cancer.  We need your help to do that.  Please spread the word and help him reach his target.  Share this blog, friend him on facebook (Breyden Walken Erickson), and pass on his donations link.

tinyurl.com/crosscanadacure

Which leads directly to his Canadian Cancer Society fundraising page (which I posted below, but as you can see it is very long)

http://cancerevents.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=420153&lis=1&kntae420153=25E32855ADE246BCA07EDDFB6B0C179A&supId=379761549

The generosity of Albertans

The generosity and support of the people of Alberta has not gone unnoticed by 18 year old Breyden Erickson of Salmon Arm, BC. Almost 9 weeks into his Cross Canada Cure walk for cancer awareness, Breyden has found inspiration in strangers who in turn have been inspired by his trek.

Donations ranging from money for fuel and expenses to meals and offers of accommodation have powered the Cross Canada Cure as it travels eastward across the country. 

Big thanks to the gang at the Strathmore Agricultural Campground who have donated a spot for the Cross Canada Cure RV to camp for the night. More thanks to Cameron at Sportcheck, Deerfoot Meadows in Calgary for the deal on new footwear - Breyden has broken them in quickly by walking almost 50 km in the last 2 days.

At a recent stop in Chestermere, Alberta he was greeted by Mayor Patricia Matthews, her family and members of council. The support of those along the way has helped Breyden remain focused on his goal of raising money and awareness to find a cure for cancer. Breyden Erickson and the Cross Canada Cure team are now in Southeastern Alberta:

Wed. 22nd   Strathmore

Sat. 25th   Brooks

Wed. 29th   Medicine Hat

Fri. 31st   Sask/AB border

Donate to the Canadian Cancer Society: 

Cross Canada Cure

To financially support the CrossCanadaCure: 

CIBC transit # 00250 account # 83-68694

How it started

This whole thing started like anything else. Just an idea. A little thought that got more and more added to it as time went by. I wanted to do something noticeable, something that people could look at and understand my motivation.

I don't have cancer myself, but someone I care about does. And what really triggered this idea, was the thought of her not being around anymore because of this disease.

It doesn't take a lot to make a difference, any help is appreciated. Every donation counts. Please tell as many people as you can about this trip. The more the word is spread, the less the cancer will.

-Breyden Erickson

Donate to the Canadian Cancer Society here

Thank you

Meanwhile, at Tim Hortons

"It is amazing the people we meet along the way" dad shared with me today. 

They all went to Tim Horton's this morning to get a coffee (really to use the WiFi to catch up on e-mails; no Internet at the campground).  While Breyden was getting fueled up in preparation for today's walk and dad was catching up on emails, mom struck up a conversation with with the people at the next table. They were a friendly couple here on a two week holiday from Whitby, England. (beautiful seaside village by the way, I Googled it, check out the pictures below.) They just felt that anybody as committed as Breyden deserved some support and donated $10.00 to Breyden for expenses. 

Thank you Peter and Marian, we hope you enjoy the rest of your visit to Canada.

Later in the afternoon they went to the Spring Creek Campground in Canmore to get a spot for the night. Owner Frank Kernick was quick to provide a free campsite and hookups once he heard what Breyden was doing.  Much appreciated Frank.  Here's a shout-out to the best RV park in Canmore! 

Spring Creek Mountain Village

(403) 678-5111

 Office@springcreekmv.com

www.springcreekrv.ca

Then, dad had no sooner sent me all this information when mom returned from doing the laundry and she had been given a loonie from a lady from Atlanta Georgia.

It's great that so many of the people they meet are so generous and quick to lend a hand or support Breyden.  Visitors and tourists at that!

C'mon Canada.  Help us raise the funds to find a cure.

Click here to Donate to the Canadian Cancer Society

Whitby, England.

To financially support the CrossCanadaCure:

CIBC transit # 00250 account # 83-68694