On Saturday, June 21, over 50 people took to the sidewalks of Fort Saskatchewan to raise money and awareness for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
Every year the Brain Tumour Foundation hosts walks in different towns and cities around Canada with the support of local resident organizers. This year, Fort Saskatchewan was able to host one of its own.
Michelle Materi is a resident of Fort Saskatchewan and was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022. Since then, she has been contributing to help organize these walks.
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada was established in 1982 after a young girl named Kelly Northey was taken away from her family due to a brain tumour. Since the foundation’s creation, over 10 million dollars has been raised and donated to brain cancer research.
The Brain Tumour Foundation also provides supports for those suffering from brain tumours or providing care to someone suffering, including a toll-free number and a children’s storybook.
This year’s walk in Fort Saskatchewan had over 50 people attending and raising $3,000 for the foundation. In addition, the Fort Saskatchewan Pickleball Association raised $1,050 for the cause with a raffle at a tournament that took place the day after the walk.
“No one wants to hear they have any type of cancer, let alone brain cancer,” said organizer Michelle Materi in an email to Heartland News. “There is no cure for it, so you make the best of it with what you can.”
To donate to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, just go to the foundation’s website. Additionally, they have an interactive map that shows all of the walks taking place across Canada for those interested to attend.
Materi continues to remain optimistic despite her brain cancer diagnosis.
“My husband Neal and my family and close friends have been my rock through this whole journey, it’s amazing how blessed a person can be!”
