Thomas/Thomasina Wamiss went the distance for the second year in a row, completing the long and arduous journey from Victoria to Port Hardy, albeit with a little change in plans along the way.

B次元官网网址淩ight from day one there was a lot of things that could have stopped me,B次元官网网址� Wamiss said, noting in particular that a flat tire on the cart they were pulling behind them was a big problem, and then injuring their foot early on during the walk. B次元官网网址淏y the time I got to Parksville about half of my foot was blue underneath, the doctor tried to tell me I wasnB次元官网网址檛 going to finish, but I just sent for my bike and it worked out good. With the bike I can actually ride into the communities and spread the word while IB次元官网网址檓 there.B次元官网网址�

It was back on Friday, Sept. 15, when Wamiss, a member of the KwakwakaB次元官网网址檞akw First Nation, took off from Beacon Hill Park in Victoria for their second annual 500 kilometre Sobriety Walk for Cancer. Wamiss arrived in Port Hardy on Wednesday, Sept. 27, two days earlier than anticipated.

B次元官网网址淕etting here was definitely worth it,B次元官网网址� Wamiss said after finishing the trek by going down Highway 19 all the way to Carrot Park, where a large group of people were waiting to celebrate the incredible accomplishment.

B次元官网网址淣o matter whatB次元官网网址檚 in front of you, donB次元官网网址檛 let it stop you,B次元官网网址� added Wamiss. B次元官网网址淔ind another way or continue to push forward, believe in yourself because you can do it.B次元官网网址�

Wamiss noted they were inspired to create the walk after losing two brothers to cancer and gaining a renewed gratitude for health after becoming sober. This yearB次元官网网址檚 walk began on the third anniversary of their sobriety.

B次元官网网址淚f I didnB次元官网网址檛 quit when I did IB次元官网网址檇 be dead,B次元官网网址� Wamiss said, B次元官网网址渏ust because of how severe it was when I was drinking.B次元官网网址�

WamissB次元官网网址� father, Spruce Wamiss, passed away back on Dec. 4. TheyB次元官网网址檇 been working together on speeches for the walk that were in both KwakB次元官网网址檞ala, their traditional language, and in English.

B次元官网网址淚 dedicate my sobriety and this walk to my dad, because he was a [residential school] survivor. The stuff that was causing me to drink was all petty problems compared to what my dad endured in residential school every day. He was told he wasnB次元官网网址檛 supposed to speak his language anymore, he wasnB次元官网网址檛 allowed to talk to his family anymore, they were trying to kill the Indian, but he survived when so many children never made it home.

B次元官网网址業 mean, what my dad endured for me to even be born, my sobriety is all dedicated to my dad.B次元官网网址�

As for next year, Wamiss said itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a B次元官网网址測o-yo,B次元官网网址� noting theyB次元官网网址檙e going to ride their bike down island and then B次元官网网址渃ome back up on my bike.B次元官网网址�

Wamiss so far has raised $1,570, their donation page will be open until Oct. 20. If youB次元官网网址檇 like to make a donation, go to https://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/site/TR?px=2932062&fr_id=2800&pg=personal