Sign up for the battlefordsNOW newsletter

Lefebvre family raising cancer awareness one step at a time

May 21, 2018 | 1:00 PM

There is an old adage that says “a family that plays together, stays together;” however, for Jim Lefebvre and his family, it could be said that “a family that walks many miles together brings many smiles together.”

If you should travel along the highways of Saskatchewan over the course of the next few weeks you may well see the Lefebvre family caravan on their Can-Survive Walk 2018.

The Lefebvre family journey began on May 1, from Grand Prairie, Alta., and over the course of the next 122 days Jim will be walking and jogging his way to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church near St. Louis P.E.I. the site of his father’s gravesite on Aug. 31, on what would have been his 72nd birthday.

“This is something I have been dreaming up for a little while,” said Lefebvre in an interview with battlefordsNOW just outside of Ruddell on Sunday afternoon. “I wanted to do something when dad passed away from lung cancer in 2016 and the idea for the walk came along one day and I decided to run with it.”

To assist Lefebvre’s Can-Survive Walk 2018, he is partnering with CanadaHelps.org and CanadaGives.ca for fundraising and support from sponsors as the journey continues.

 

 

“I know there have been a lot of walks and events for cancer over the years but our walk is different,” he added. ”We are trying to bring a lot more awareness to the disease as opposed to just trying to fix the problem and also educate people how they can stay away from cancer in the beginning.”

Having always been active, Jim said while his daily goals are ambitious they are also very realistic.

“We have been averaging about 50 kilometres per day, seven days a week,” Jim added. “Some days are a little less, some days are a little more depending on the weather conditions and stops we make.”

Jim is joined on his trek by his wife Kristie, mom, Rita, father-in-law Manny and three young children, Dylan, 9, Kallyn, 8, and Kayden, 8. Kristie acknowledged how this is a family adventure that will last a lifetime.

“This is a family road trip like no other,” said Kristie. “We are all here to support him (Jim) on this incredible journey that means so much to him in recognizing his father and bringing awareness to the fight against cancer.”

Kristie added how people along the route have been gracious to their endeavour with offers of money, well wishes and lodging.

“The response has been great so far. People have been stopping to see if we are okay,” she added. “We have had people stop and make donations along the side of the road which is excellent and some even pay for our campsites when it’s time to turn in for the night.”

While the Can-Survive Walk 2018’s goal is to raise both awareness and funds in the fight against the disease that will touch one in two Canadians in their lifetime, Jim said he just wants to make a difference.  

“If our walk helps only one person make the decision to live a healthier life, then I’ve succeeded in my mission,” Jim added.

You can follow Jim Lefebvre and his families Can-Survive Walk 2018 on Facebook.

 

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW