Walk of Hope Launches in Winnipeg with Urgent Call for Ovarian Cancer Awareness

UPDATE: The Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope kicks off in Winnipeg on September 7, raising urgent awareness about ovarian cancer survival rates that have stagnated for decades. The event will take place at Kildonan Park, beginning with registration at 8:30 a.m. and an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m.. Jackie Maxted, a survivor and spokesperson for the walk, emphasizes the critical need for change in the fight against this deadly disease.

In a shocking twist of fate, Maxted was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last Christmas, just as she prepared for a festive gathering. “I had a bump in my abdomen and my clothes didn’t fit, but I was living my life normally,” she recalled. Following major surgery to remove both ovaries and extensive chemotherapy, she is now using her experience to shine a light on the alarming statistics: approximately 3,100 Canadians are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually, leading to 1,950 deaths each year.

Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynecological cancer, with few warning signs and no effective screening tests available. Symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain are often dismissed, resulting in late-stage diagnoses like Maxted’s. “Blood tests showed normal results until my cancer marker suddenly spiked,” she said. The tumor removed from her body measured between 10 and 12 centimeters.

The Walk of Hope serves as Ovarian Cancer Canada’s largest annual fundraiser, with events nationwide aimed at supporting research, advocacy, and patient programs. In Winnipeg, participants can choose a scenic 5-kilometre or 2.5-kilometre route through Kildonan Park, concluding by 11:30 a.m. The family-friendly event will feature refreshments, children’s activities, and a special space for survivors known as “Teal Sisters” to connect.

Maxted’s advocacy for better ovarian cancer funding is deeply personal. After investing $500 out of pocket for genetic testing related to BRCA mutations, she calls for such screening to become standard across Canada. “Too many women don’t make it this far,” she expressed, highlighting the urgent need for improved treatments and genetic testing.

As the event approaches, Maxted hopes participants understand the importance of funding for ovarian cancer research. “When we choose hope, anything is possible,” she stated, rallying hundreds of Winnipeggers to join her in teal on September 7.

For more details about the Walk of Hope and how to participate, visit ovariancancerwalkofhope.ca. This event marks a vital step toward changing the narrative for ovarian cancer survival rates that have remained stagnant for too long.