This is the second year I have volunteered at The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, and let me tell you, it’s an incredible experience.

I’m Pat Bellavance, Bath Fitter’s Plant Manager in Saint-Eustache, Québec. For a 2^nd consecutive year, Bath Fitter has been involved with The Weekend to End Breast Cancer. Some of the Bath Fitter crew participated in the event by raising money and walking, while others, like me, were volunteers the day of the event.

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer is an annual fundraising event in which participants raise money by walking 60 kilometers. Since its inception in 2005, the event has raised over 30 million dollars to benefit the Jewish General Hospital’s Segal Cancer Center.

This year’s walk took place on August 22^nd and 23^rd. We had great weather, and the turnout was incredible—there were 2,196 walkers!

I was part of the security crew, or the “motorcycle volunteer crew” if you will. Twenty-four motorcycle-riding volunteers, me included, were responsible for manning every major intersection of the walk. We went from one intersection to the next as the walk progressed, making sure the walkers were safe. But we didn’t just stand around like a bunch of bored security guards—we shouted motivational words of encouragement to the walkers as they went by. We told them not to give up, to keep going, and that they were doing great. Our motorcycle radios were on full blast and as we danced to the music, some of the walkers danced with us! It being a hot weekend, about 30 degrees (Celsius) each day, we took to spraying the walkers with water-spray-bottles—not that they were complaining!

Seeing so many people come together for a cause that affects each and every one of us is an emotional thing, and it’s difficult to explain the type of energy that filled the air that day. As exhausted as the walkers were toward the end of the walk, they were all dedicated to completing it, and on a hot day, after so much walking, many were struggling to keep going. I admired everyone for being so determined.

Six Bath Fitter vans were also volunteered, and were available at different locations throughout the walk. They were there just in case anyone became too exhausted and needed a time-out, or a lift to catch up with the other walkers.

This year, the event generated a total of 5.7 million dollars! It was inspirational and rewarding, and I will definitely be volunteering again next year! Hey, why not get involved? Visit http://www.endcancer.ca/