Madam Speaker, once again I rise in the House to talk about an issue that has touched all of our lives, and that is cancer.
Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to participate in the 25th annual 24-hour Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life, where over $535,000 was raised toward a goal of creating a world where no Canadian, no human ever has to live in fear of the word “cancer”.
We are incredibly proud of our local Relay For Life. It is the number one Relay For Life in Canada and it is the only 24-hour Relay For Life in Canada. Over the last 25 years we have raised over $7 million toward cancer research.
My goal was to beat my fundraising total and to once again walk the entire 24 hours. I did both. While walking the full 24 hours and covering over 95 kilometres, I was joined for laps by those currently fighting for their lives and by friends and family walking in memory of those who lost their fight.
I want to thank you to my team, Team Pita Pit, thank you to the volunteers and organizers of the relay, and thank you to the friends and families, organizers, and communities who helped to make this event so successful.