Last September I decided to participate in the Shoppers One Walk to Conquer Cancer raising money to benefit Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. No, I didn’t walk the 25 km one day event (I know many who did) but as a part of a sweep team. A few of my friends have been doing it for years, one a breast cancer survivor and one with a lot of reasons in her personal life and I decided it was time to be part of something bigger.

It was raining as we arrived downtown to decorate our sweep team van that would be spending the better part of the day in. Apparently it always rains. Maybe it is a good sign if it is raining, the higher power is speaking to us. Adversity makes you stronger. Sweep vans are driving the route ‘sweeping’ up walkers who need anything, a bottle of water, a snack, some moral support and a ride to the next stop on the route, we were there.

The sweep teams have themes and they decorate their vans and make them visible around the city. Our van was Halloween and I had a great time with all kinds of stickers, skeletons, even all kinds of candy in the van. It was going to be a great day with friends and supporting the walkers who are all there for their own reasons. That was evident every where you turned.

Groups of people walk together. They walk in memory of loved ones, survivors and those who didn’t survive. There are t-shirts with photos on them, women (and men) walking with bras on the outside of their shirts, ‘pink’ teams. Each and every one of the people I saw had a reason to be there. I don’t know anyone that has not been affected by cancer.

We drove around for a while after the day started and made our first pit stop visit. It was after that it was time to make our way to PMH. I was quite apprehensive to step out of the van when we first got there. If you have not experienced the walk before, the impact of arriving at the hospital takes your breath away.

Doctors, nurses, patients, families, they are there and they are cheering, loudly. Imagine coming into the stadium at the final stretch of the Olympic Marathon. A bit dramatic, but not really. There are signs, lots and lots of signs, up and down the barricades.

There was this amazing wall that said I’M WALKING FOR and there were hundreds, maybe thousands of names of survivors, people who lost their battles, family members, friends. It was completely overwhelming. I was crying even before I got out of car as we walked up to the hospital.

The doctors were standing on the steps of the hospital and there are bells ringing. that is very symbolic for Princess Margaret. The bell is called The Bravery Bell and if you don’t know what that is, it is the bell that you ring on your last day of chemo treatment. Maybe you know someone who has had the chance to ring the bravery bell.

The day was filled with great stories, and seeing people you know and shouting out the windows of the van, honking the horn and getting to yell at the top of your lungs, “let’s kick cancer in the ass”.

Lunch was at this amazing park and there were lots of fun vendors, give aways, and a chance for the walkers to catch their breath, put some band aids on their sore and aching feet and get up the strength to continue on.

Every time you make a decision to step out of your comfort zone and do something selfless instead of selfish, it makes you a better person. For a day I was there to support others who were being selfless and making a difference. One person can make a difference. There will always be fundraising needed in the world we live in. You can be a fundraiser and support with money and you can support with words of encouragement and be a part of the global picture of humanity.