Linda Vanderschaaf, laced up her sneakers Sunday for an important walk around the North Bay and District Regional Health Centre, for the annual 'Our Hospital Walk/Run' fundraiser.
In September 2013, Vanderschaaf underwent a stem cell transplant, after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which she describes as a blood cancer which causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow.
"I got most of my treatments here, the 16 weeks of chemo were here. The blood work, I think there were almost 100 blood tests done in 2013, most of them here. I still come for quarterly blood tests. You know that's all done here," says Vanderschaaf.
"And the nurses were phenomenal, even after my treatment was done because of the type of cancer I had, I had to have intravenous for blood strengtheners and that was done for two years after that period of time. It's nice, you go to work, you come here, you have your treatment, you go back to work. You can do that because the hospital is here," says Vanderschaaf.
"I don't think people realize that the MRI's are done here, the CT scans are done here. It's so important to have that equipment here. I don't think you ever say thank-you enough or express how grateful you are for the care that you receive in the facility."
The goal for this year's event was to raise at least $100,000 for the medical needs of the community, and once again the goal was surpassed, with just over $120,000 raised.
"The funds go to the most urgently needed equipment designated by the hospital. We are working on cancer care right now; screening, diagnosis, treatment, surgery and follow-up care," explains Tammy Morison President and Chief Executive Officer North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation.
Luc Lalonde, Chair of the NBRHC Foundation Board of Trustees, says the fundraiser wouldn't be a success without community support.
"We have over 130 volunteers. It takes months of preparation to get this together, so it's really great to see people come out and have some fun. We have in all, with the runners, participants and volunteers over 700 people come out. It's really a great day," says Lalonde.
Mary Houghton is a member of the Maple Hill Health and Fitness team from Powassan. This is her second year participating. Houghton joined not only to help raise much-needed funds for the hospital, but also for the sheer joy of running.
"I think there's a real need for healthcare in general and anything we can do to raise money for the hospital and healthcare in the area is a wonderful thing."
Neil Gervais, coach of the West Ferris Minor Bantam Trappers, along with 17 players and five staff members used the fundraiser as a teachable moment.
"Right from the start of the year, the staff got together and we decided as a group to try and get the kids together to do a community fundraising event, and what better event than our hospital run, we thought," says Gervais.
The coach says the takeaway from the experience is showing his players the importance of giving back and helping others, in any way they can.
"And that being involved in the community is important, and to show there's more to a hockey season than just hockey, and it's important to instill in the kids a sense of giving back."
Ben Franz, is a player on the team. On the ice, he's learning the importance of hard work and being part of a team. By participating in the walk/run he's learning the same principles apply to other areas of his life, as people work towards a common goal.
"I'm here to support the hospital so everyone who is sick can be well again," says the 12-year-old. "I think it's pretty good seeing everyone here supporting the hospital."
This year's theme is Canada 150.
"We thought it would be really cool to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday, by incorporating some of the themes into our walk/run this year. So we have all the provinces marked out along the hospital mile, so as you go around the hospital, you can kind of be walking through all the provinces. Our opening ceremony is one of the first times we had somebody lead us in O Canada which I thought was really special," adds Morison.
As Vanderschaaf pointed out, when people support causes like this one, they never think that one day they or someone in their family would personally benefit, but nothing is further from the truth.
"There's no cancer in my family. I was always healthy, So to be diagnosed with something like this, just post-fifty, I sat there and said to my doctor, 'are you sure?' I think I was in shock for a week and there was nothing that indicated that I would, as a healthy person, have this. Family history would say you need to get checked, but there was nothing," she says.
"I'm well today. I'm in remission today, I love each day. You change your attitude about life. You volunteer for things like this. I may not be the fastest walker but I'm out there, and I have great support."
