Purple Ribbon Walk a success
Like every year, tomorrow’s Purple Ribbon Walk will start with a lap honouring survivors. File photo
Organizers of this year’s Purple Ribbon Walk said the event was once again a great success, with community members showing up on Saturday night to honour loved ones who have faced cancer.
“It’s always humbling to see so many people come out to honour and remember those who have faced cancer in our community,” said Terri Thomas, who has been involved with Tetewatatia’takehnhahs, which organizes the walk, since it was started in 2016.
The organization provides funding and support for people in Kahnawake diagnosed with cancer, including financial support for things like medical devices, hospital parking, and wigs.
“It is an amazing community event, and we are grateful for strong community support.”
The night started with the Survivor’s Lap around Karonhianónhnha School, with others joining to take laps in memory until 11:30 p.m.
Community member Mouchie Goodleaf said the Survivor’s Lap was the most emotional part of the evening.
He walked in honour of his sisters Trudy Thomas and Anna Mae Rice, who both survived breast cancer, and are committee members who helped form the support group, as well as numerous other friends and family members who have faced the disease.
“It’s very emotional when you see how many people this has impacted in a small town such as ours,” Goodleaf said. “It was a very successful event, very emotional.”
A fitness session was donated by community member Mia Phillips, which was handed out to Scott Berwick, who amassed the highest number of steps throughout the night – over 30,000.
“I’ve had three family members who have passed due to cancer, and a number of friends’ family members who have passed,” Berwick said. “It was in honour of them, but also a personal goal to see if I could walk the entire duration of the event.”
Terri said that there were several moments throughout the evening where she was reminded of the importance of the event. At one point, she spoke with a young boy who was walking in memory of his father who had passed away a few years earlier. He showed Terri the photos of himself that he had added to the luminaries that had been lit in his father’s memory.
“It was such a unique way to connect the present and the past, and it really left a lasting impact on me,” she said.
Laurie Montour, who also attended the event, said the luminaries were especially moving.
“As we walk, we read the names and remember the ones who have passed on. We are reminded who is no longer among us,” she said.
Montour started doing the walk a few years ago, when her brother Gene Montour, who passed away in December, asked his family to join him in supporting the event while he underwent cancer treatment. The family named themselves “Montour’s Army,” and this was their first year walking without Gene.
“He wasn’t with us physically, but we felt his presence,” Laurie said.
Montour’s Army also walked in honour of Laurie’s sister, Fran, and brother-in-law Dougie, who were both diagnosed with cancer in the past two years but are now in good health after early diagnoses.
Terri said that she was saddened to learn of the passing of Josie McGregor, who passed away on the day after the event, aged 90. McGregor was a strong supporter of the walk.
“Josie always looked forward to our Purple Ribbon Walks, and participated yearly, including this year’s walk,” Terri said. “We take comfort in knowing that she got one more walk in before she passed.”
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This year’s walk was sponsored by the Onkwata’karitáhtshera’s Community Health Plan Initiative, and fundraising also took place throughout the night. Total amounts raised are still being calculated and will be released to the community in the coming days – last year the walk raised more than $103,000 for Tetewatatia’takehnhahs.
This article was originally published in print on August 23 in issue 33.34 of The Eastern Door.
