Climb for cancer
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Hundreds of Hamiltonians climbed the Chedoke stairs Saturday to raise money for cancer treatment and research.
The ‘Climb for Cancer’ asks participants to scale the stairs not just once, but several times in a row. Many climbers undertake the task in honour of a loved one they’ve lost.
“I’m climbing for my friend, Mo,” said one participant before the climb “he passed away two years ago from a brain tumor… So, i’m happy to climb today for him.”
It takes 298 steps to reach the top of the escarpment.
Climbers have one hour to go up and down the Chedoke stairs as many times as they can.
The first few flights are a breeze, but after 2 or 3 cycles, the burn is almost unbearable.
“Fighting cancer it’s like climbing a mountain,” organizer, Brian Humphrey said “so, you’re battling cancer and enduring stairs for an hour, just toughing it out is like climbing a mountain.”
Climbers get to experience just a bit of the struggle their loved ones go through when they are sick.
“My Mom, she’s battling pancreatic cancer,” says one of the climbers “she was given 4-6 weeks to live and she’s on her 8th week.”
Participants collect donations and all money raised funds research and patient support at Juravinski Cancer Centre.
“It was rough,” said one of the participants “but i pushed past my limit.”
The goal was to raise $100,000, organizers haven’t said if they reached that total.
If they do, it would bring the eight year total to over $500,000.
