Walkathon set to raise funds for cancer support centre

Fri, October 7, 2005

By SANDRA COULSON, Free Press Lifestyles Reporter



The long haul of cancer treatment is going to be replicated in the long haul of a 21-kilometre walkathon through London on Oct. 15.

Walk for Wellspring could raise $100,000 for the cancer support centre in London, thanks to seed money paid by a London family that's felt the sting of cancer.

"There are three approaches to helping people through this illness," says Paul Caplan, owner of Novacks outdoor store, the event's sponsor.

"The first obviously is medical . . . then the second part is research . . . But there's a third component and that's helping the individual deal with it on a spiritual level, an individual level, a soul level."

Caplan's sister-in-law, Barbara Novak, used Wellspring programs before she died of cancer two years ago. "The biggest help to her was talking to people who had made the decisions she had to make," said her sister, Sandi Caplan, Paul's wife.

Paul Caplan later learned about a walkathon in Toronto for Princess Margaret hospital that covers 30 kilometres over two days and requires a minimum pledge of $2,000. It's been raising millions for the hospital over the last five years.

The Caplans offered to provide seed money to do a similar, but relatively smaller walkathon for Wellspring in London.

The route is 21 kilometres, to be done over one day, with a minimum pledge of $1,000.

Wellspring executive director Shelley Markland said neither the distance nor the pledge are discouraging registrants, even though many aren't "fitness freaks."

So far, 77 have registered. The goal is 100, which would provide Wellspring with $100,000.

"What people are saying is, 'If someone can get through chemo and radiation, I can get through this,' " Markland said.

IF YOU GO

What: Novacks Walk for Wellspring

When: Saturday, Oct. 15

Where: Through London streets and parks, starting and ending at Galleria London

Registration: Call Wellspring London and Region, 438-7379



http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Today/2005/10/07/1252029-sun.html

Tony,
I have good news and bad news

1) There will be kilometre markers
http://www.novacks.com/walk/
<<Event Details:
The first 20 registered walkers have the option to dedicate a kilometer marker to a special someone. 10 kilometer markers will be reserved for survivors and 10 kilometer markers will be reserved for lives lost to cancer.>>

2) You can't deface them. This London is in Ontario, Canada, where kilometres are the lawful way of marking road and path distances.
(Check the store address at above link)

:)

Even if it had been London, UK, we tend to use kilometres these days for running events. It seems like every other weekend that someone I know is doing a 5k or 10k run

Maybe Daniel knew it was London, Ontario. I can't imagine him "putting his foot in it".

Running races in the UK are by mile or km. Most have both mile (or fraction of mile, or yard) markers and metre markers.

As well as 5 and 10 K runs there are also 1 mile swims, 1 mile walks etc.


I guess it all depends on the relevence of the "wholeness" of the number