Rocco Rossi and co. reach the end of their prostate-cancer journey
I am thrilled to announce that the Pilgrimage for Progress on Prostate Cancer reached our physical goal of arriving in Santiago and exceeded our fundraising goal of $150,000 for Prostate Cancer Canada.
When you exceed all your expectations, the only proper thing to do is to thank everyone for making it happen. John Kanellitsas and Constantine Karayannopoulos, both extremely busy CEOs, took time out of their schedules and paid all their own costs out of their own pockets. They helped me exceed our fundraising goal by encouraging both of their networks to contribute generously. It wasn't easy – John called it "the biggest physical challenge of (his) life," but he arrived with a smile! Gracias.
To our presenting corporate sponsors at Molycorp and Davis and Henderson: gracias. To our telecommunications partner at Telus who picked up all our phone and data charges: gracias. To our media sponsor, The Globe and Mail: gracias. To our lead individual donors – Richard Rooney, John Clarkson and Daniel Montagner, who each gave at least $10,000 – gracias. To all our generous donors: gracias.
To the many other pilgrims who shared their stories and their fellowship: gracias. And to the many other individuals who helped along the way and wished us a buen camino to lift our spirits: gracias.
There are those who believe that the Camino de Santiago ends in Santiago, but it truly only begins there. During your time on the Camino, your life is simplified to eating, walking, sleeping and repeating that the next day. The yellow arrows or scallop shells are there at every crossroad to indicate the proper direction.
After Santiago, life becomes more complicated and the external direction signs disappear. One has to look inward at each crossroad and do one's best.
The arrows for those facing a diagnosis for prostate cancer are not always obvious. Each year we add options and variations through the efforts of amazing researchers in Canada and around the world. However, the ultimate treatment choices need to be made between doctors and informed patients and families who look inward and do their best.
We at Prostate Cancer Canada will continue to do our best to walk with those affected men and their families. Thanks to your generous support of this physical pilgrimage and our future events, we hope to provide even more.
Muchas gracias y Buen Camino en su vida!