KRIS’S KIND CONTRIBUTION

A few years ago a very good friend of mine's mother passed away after a long battle with Breast cancer.  She fought courageously until the end and never stopped showing her concern for others even in the face of incredible pain.  Some of her last acts were to enroll herself in various clinical trials on experimental medications in the hopes the knowledge gained would ensure that future patients wouldn't have to go through what she did.

It was with her memory in mind that I became involved with the Weekend To End Breast Cancer three years ago.  The Weekend is a 60 km walk through the streets of Toronto that is held the second weekend after labour day and is dedicated to ending breast cancer in our lifetime (http://to09.endcancer.ca/). Proceeds from fundraising efforts go to the Princess Margaret Hospital (http://www.pmhf.ca/) to support research and improved patient care.  The most recent of these advances is the founding of a "one day" breast cancer diagnosis centre which can bring patients in, perform any diagnostic tests or biopsies and initiate treatment if needed within one day.  This has been a huge advancement in the care of patients in Canada (http://www.pmhf.ca/Pages/NewsAndMedia/NewsStory.aspx?s=550).

My part in all of this has been fundraising for the Weekend by hosting a party at my apartment on the Friday night of the Not So Pro Toronto tournament in August. For a modest all-inclusive charge guest come and enjoy food, wine, a martini bar and black jack table.  To help raise funds we also have a 50-50 draw and prize raffle with prizes donated, many of them from people associated with volleyball in Toronto. Over the past two years we have had over 60 people attend the party and have raised over $2000 for the Weekend. 

I hope this helps give you an idea of what I have been up to.  It is a small step but over the time I have been associated with the Weekend we have raised over $45 million to end cancer in our lifetime and help fulfill Barb's wish of making things easier for all the patients that came after her.  I must say that I couldn't possibly have done this alone and must thank all of my friends who donated prizes for the party.