Nicole Fredrickson was at the Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope in Courtenay with her mother in 2005 when something happened that would influence her life.

B次元官网网址淭he speaker made a comment about how we should get a walk going in Victoria,B次元官网网址� the longtime Colwood resident recalls. B次元官网网址淢y mom just looked over at me and smiled. I knew she wanted me to do it.B次元官网网址�

Two months later her mother lost her battle with ovarian cancer, and Fredrickson felt compelled to fulfill that dying wish. She and brother Phil Venoit organized the inaugural walk that same year and Fredrickson has co-chaired it, assisted by her family, every year since.

Venoit, who lives in Metchosin, credits his sister for keeping the walk going. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 (her) drive, passion and compassion to do something that would commemorate our mother,B次元官网网址� he says.

The siblings recognized the need to raise awareness after their motherB次元官网网址檚 diagnosis came too late for effective treatment, a common theme with ovarian cancer, the symptoms of which are often mis-associated with stomach troubles or pre-menstrual syndrome.

B次元官网网址淲e recognized there was very little information, very little research going on,B次元官网网址� Venoit says. B次元官网网址淚t didnB次元官网网址檛 have the same exposure as prostate or breast cancer.B次元官网网址�

Local business E.H. Emery Electric was quick to offer support for the walk and has been a major sponsor every year, says Venoit, adding they offer a B次元官网网址渢remendous amount of support,B次元官网网址� bringing their staff to the event, helping to set up and more.

B次元官网网址�(Derek and Bonnie Emery) really ensure the event is successful in Victoria,B次元官网网址� he says.

And the support is sincerely heartfelt. Derek has lost both his mother and sister to cancer, a loss that echoes through the walkB次元官网网址檚 participants.

Everyone seems to walk either in support of others, in memory of a loved one who lost the fight or while going through treatment themselves.

Helen Taylor of View Royal is walking again this year for friend Sue Sorbie, a North Islander who was a staunch supporter of the Victoria event from day one.

B次元官网网址淲e always walked for Sue every year,B次元官网网址� Taylor says. Sorbie endured course after course of treatments until she passed away a couple of years ago.

B次元官网网址淪he always came out. Even the last year, when she couldnB次元官网网址檛 walk because she couldnB次元官网网址檛 come down to (Colwood), we went up to her (in Courtenay) and Sue sat in the car and watched us all walk,B次元官网网址� Taylor says. B次元官网网址淪ue was such a remarkable lady. She inspired so many people.B次元官网网址�

Driven to do something to remember her friend, Taylor gathered all the official T-shirts of the previous eight walks, and sewed them into a quilt with the help of friends Myrna Laing and Jennifer Watson.

B次元官网网址淚 just wanted to do something with the T-shirts,B次元官网网址� Taylor says. B次元官网网址淚 did it in memory of Sue.B次元官网网址�

She gave the quilt to Fredrickson, who was moved by the gesture and immediately asked to use it as the symbol for the yearly walk.

The walk honours friends and loved ones whoB次元官网网址檝e passed, but itB次元官网网址檚 also important for bringing the disease into the public eye, says Fredrickson.

With no early detection or effective screening, she says, itB次元官网网址檚 vital to educate people about what to watch for and encourage them to take symptoms seriously.

The walk happens Sunday (Sept. 7) at Royal Roads University. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk is at 10. For more information, visit .

acowan@goldstreamgazette.com