Starting May 1st, 2018, I will be walking from Grande Prairie AB, from my parents’ doorstep all the way to Tignish, PEI where my Dad was laid to rest beside my Grandparents, as he wished.
With the intention of arriving at the grave site on Aug 31, 2018, which would have been my Dad’s 72nd birthday.
The reason for this walk is two-fold:
- To help Society become and live cancer free through the effective use of awareness, education, support; and treatment for physical and mental health and well-being of those who are affected by Cancer.
- To build an endowment fund that will continue contributing funds for years into the future.
I have started my training, walking 2 hours per day and will continue to increase my time every week until I am up to 8 hours per day prior to starting my trek. Coupled with weight training 2 – 3 times per week my body is feeling great.
Why am I taking this Walk? This is my story…
October 5, 2015 my Dad got the dreaded news…
After not feeling well and trying antibiotics multiple times over the past 6 months, with no success, the results were in. “You have Stage 3 Lung cancer and it is in both lungs, which means that it is inoperable. There is not much that we can do, at best you have 6 – 8 months to live. Do you have any questions?” were the terrifying words that came out of the doctor’s mouth.
I decided to spend some time with Dad. I would drive the hour and a half one-way every Thursday to spend the afternoon with him. Some days we went out and drove around, some days he didn’t feel like leaving the house, so we stayed in and talked. I tried to help and at least lift his spirits, but Dad had made up his mind and what he was told by the doctors was what he took internally and believed to the core. He had given up fighting and it literally killed him. There was no sense trying to discuss alternative therapy or any other treatment. “What’s the point, I’ll still be dead in 6 months,” was his response. I didn’t realize it at the time but that had an Incredible impact on me.
After watching first-hand someone that I thought was invincible, wither away to literally nothing was totally heartbreaking. I still remember vividly kneeling by Dads’ bed holding his hand as he slowly took his last breath and made the transition to the other side. It has changed me internally in such a huge way and given me a few things. One is a new outlook on life realizing that life is WAY too short. I also made the decision right then and there, that I would never allow others to dictate what I do or the things I can accomplish in my life.
It has given me a new mission and purpose in life: to take a stand and bring an awareness and education to the world, while also funding research to eliminate this nasty disease.
The goal of my walk has two driving factors: One is to open the minds of the masses to what is possible for them in their lives. You can literally do anything you set your mind to.
Secondly, to raise funds so that we can continue this quest after the walk has been completed. I have a VERY lofty goal of raising 100 Million in Four months while on the road.
That my friend is the purpose of this letter. I am looking for people that have been touched by Cancer in some way, shape, or form in their life and are ready to take a stand and help put an end to this ridiculous disease once and for all.
To sponsor or contribute please contact us or click on Donate.
To Survival,
Jimmy Lefebvre