INSIDE

Eight walking for cancer

By Meg Olson

Eight women from Point Roberts and neighboring communities in Canada all have different reasons for taking a long walk around Vancouver this summer, but they all share the same goal.

Led by captain Dani Magnusson, Boobs Across the Border aims to raise $16,000 in time for the 2007 Vancouver Weekend to End Breast Cancer. The team will be holding fundraising events around the community leading up to the August 17-19 event, a two-day, 60-kilometer walk to raise funds for the BC Cancer Foundation.

After finding a lump in her own breast several years ago, the anxiety of testing and the relief of finding it wasn’t breast cancer, Magnusson participated in the walk last year with her daughter Mandy Wolansky. “It scared me, so I thought I would do something instead of just being afraid,” Magnusson said.

The experience of walking with thousands of other women was one of the most moving in her life, she said. “It was one of the neatest things I’ve ever done,” she said. She and Wolansky had decided to walk again this year before they had finished last year’s walk.

Magnusson was the motivation for many of her teammates to walk this year. “I trained with Dani last year and she inspired me,” said Lawnie Collard. “We were at the closing ceremonies last year and it was really overwhelming,” said Linda Leisy Powell. “We signed up that day.”

They share camaraderie and commitment, but each team member also has individual reasons for their participation in the fundraising walk.
“I’m a cancer survivor, though not breast cancer. This is a personal challenge,” said Marcia Beech, both to physically prepare for the walk but to galvanize friends and family to support cancer research efforts.
For Collard it’s another way to support a loved one undergoing cancer treatment. “This is about breast cancer but really any cancer. It’s to help him too,” she said.

This year Magnusson is dedicating her walk to Violet Nelson, a breast cancer survivor and the mother of Magnusson’s partner, Howard.
Team members each need to raise $2,000 to join the walk, and the group hopes to beat that target through personal and group fundraising. The recent Burger and Beer fundraising evening at TJ’s Restaurant and Lounge netted each team member $300. A scavenger hunt and prime rib dinner at the Reef Tavern is planned for Saint Patrick’s Day and a bikini car wash and bocce tournament are planned for the summer.

Donors can pledge money for individual team members at the www.vao7.endcancer.ca by clicking on the Donate link on the right to search for the team. For more information about donating or attending a fundraiser contact Magnusson at 945-1963.