Every year around mid-November, Shane Flamand is hit with a wave of emotion.
Traversing the steep slopes and rocky terrain of the three largest peaks in Greater Victoria as part of the Moving Mountains fundraiser brings back memories of FlamandB次元官网网址檚 nephew, Zack Downey, who lost his 18-month battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2014.
Flamand remembers coaching ZackB次元官网网址檚 baseball team and that he was a courageous, talented teenager with a passion for sport. Above all, he remembers ZackB次元官网网址檚 unfaltering spirit in his final months.
B次元官网网址淗e was like a son to me,B次元官网网址� Flamand said. B次元官网网址淗e took it like a champ the whole way through. Whenever he was going through treatments, youB次元官网网址檇 never know it because he always had a smile on his face. He always had hope.B次元官网网址�
Now, Flamand is getting set to remember Zack again and participate in the fifth and final Moving Mountains fundraiser this month. As part of the event, Flamand along with roughly 20 other hikers, will cover 27 kilometres through Mount Finlayson, Jocelyn Hill and Mount Work over a 10 to 12 hour period.
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ItB次元官网网址檚 a fundraiser the Langford resident and avid hiker originally started in 2013 to raise funds to help Zack and his family, but since his passing, has turned into a tribute for Zack and fundraiser for families with children battling lymphoma.
The Shared Hope Society, which Flamand is the vice president of, chooses the recipients. In addition to the annual hike, Flamand also organizes weekly hikes through East Sooke Park, Mount Wells and around Thetis Lake to raise funds for various families. In recent years, theyB次元官网网址檝e raised thousands of dollars for about 20 families in Greater Victoria.
Over the last three years since ZackB次元官网网址檚 passing, the hike has helped Flamand heal, but now, heB次元官网网址檚 ready to let go and move on.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 that great feeling knowing that youB次元官网网址檙e able to help some of these families, but itB次元官网网址檚 also very difficult because it brings up a world of emotions every time you hike,B次元官网网址� Flamand said. B次元官网网址淔or me, a part of the healing is to move forward. It brings up a world of emotions that IB次元官网网址檓 ready to put behind me. Just a heartfelt thank you to all that have helped out along this journey.B次元官网网址�
Funds raised this year will go towards providing financial support to a self-employed single mother raising two boys, including a 13-year-old who is battling lymphoma.
Moving Mountains takes place on Saturday, Nov. 18. For more information, visit Shared Hope Society on Facebook.
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