The 11th Wellwood 1K/5K/10K Walk/Run for Colorectal Cancer Awareness will be held Sunday, October 18, 2009, at McMaster University.

The 5K and 10K races will be held at 10 a.m., following the Kids 1K, which starts at 9:30 a.m. All children will receive medals and the first 150 pre-registered kids will receive shirts. Shirts will also be given to the first 300 pre-registered 5K and 10K walkers and runners. Teams are encouraged.  Numerous pledge prizes are available, including prizes from the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni Association, Vineland Estates and The Hamilton Bulldogs.

Registration and pledge forms are available online at www.wellwood.on.ca or flyers are available at any area Running Room location. 

Race registration and kit pick-up is taking place on Saturday, October 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Running Room, 1457 Main Street West, Hamilton.  Race day registration or pre-registration pick-up will be in the McMaster University Student Centre from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.

Wellwood is dedicated to helping people live well with cancer and offers supportive care programs to individuals diagnosed with cancer, their family, friends, caregivers and health care providers.   Funds raised go to support Wellwood’s wide range of services, all of which are free of charge to everyone affected by cancer. 

So, collect some sponsorship pledges, lace up your runners, come out for some exercise, and support a wonderful and worthwhile local cause!  For more details about the event, please call (905) 389-5884 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Wellwood's 10,000th afghan was presented on June 15, 2009, by program lead volunteer Barb Hartnett.

Many "hands" -- including those of visitors and patients of the Juravinski Cancer Centre and Henderson Hospital or clients of Wellwood -- have contributed squares, a few rows of knitting, or even a stitch or two while they are waiting, receiving treatment, or visiting a friend in hospital. The squares are then knit together by a team of volunteers who create small, large and baby afghans, which brighten up hospital rooms, and bring cheer, warmth and comfort to patients.

The program is among Wellwood's most popular.  Clients describe the afghans as "so much more than a blanket."  They say that it is like receiving the love and support of all of the people who have worked to create all 10,000 afghans.

Donna Reise is challenging her body to take her on the voyage of a lifetime -- and raising money for Wellwood while she does it.

A longtime Wellwood volunteer and an enthusiastic member of the Knot A Breast dragon boat team, Reise will be joined by two friends and fellow team members as she paddles a 746 km marathon race in Yukon Territory this summer.  "Make sure you mention that last six kilometres!" Reise says, laughing.

Knot A Breast is a local team of athletes, comprised of women and men who have had breast cancer.  The group itself is a tribute to the courage and determination of its membership, and has been called, by some, a "floating support group."  It has a long history with Wellwood, a local centre dedicated to helping people to live well with cancer and offering a range of supportive programs, free-of-charge to anyone affected by this disease, including those who have been diagnosed, their family, friends, caregiver and health care providers.  Based at Henderson, Wellwood is embarking on a major expansion this year, opening a second, community-based site on the grounds of Chedoke late this summer.

Reise was inspired by Sue McCullough and Alexis O'Connor, both Knot A Breast members.  These women attempted to do this race last year, but the boat sprung a leak and the team was pulled at the halfway point.  They are very determined to finish what they started last year.  Three other women from Ontario and two from the Yukon are also on this year's team.

The team has to complete the race in less than four days, starting at noon on June 24.  There are only two compulsory stops:  the first, at about the half way point, for seven hours, and the second, a three hour stop after the rapids.   The Yukon River has very few road access points and very few people living along its banks.  "We have to be prepared and equipped to be self sufficient for a couple of days," explains Reise.  "Hypothermia and fatigue will be our greatest challenges."

And why take on such a monumental challenge?

"I am celebrating my 60th birthday this year," Reise says.  "I call it 'Celebrating 60' because there have been many times in the past 20 years where I didn't think I would reach this age, so I'm doing it with a splash."

To show your support for the team, visit wellwood.on.ca and click on the link "Sponsor our Paddlers" or call 905-389-5884.

A 1K, 5K and 10K Walk/Run will be held on Sunday, October 18 at McMaster University to promote awareness and prevention of colo-rectal cancers and to support Wellwood.

Wellwood is dedicated to helping people live well with cancer and offers supportive care programs to individuals diagnosed with cancer, their family, friends, caregivers and health care providers.

All children will receive medals and the first 150 pre-registered kids will receive shirts. Shirts will also be given to the first 250 pre-registered 5K walkers and runners. Teams are encouraged. Race times on Sunday morning are TBA.

Registration and pledge forms will be available at The Running Room in West Hamilton, or by calling Wellwood at (905) 389-5884. Online registration will be up soon. You can download a printable pledge form here.

Pre-registration will take place at Wellwood, 711 Concession Street, Hamilton, 905-389-5884.   Race registration and kit pick-up is taking place on Saturday, October 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Running Room, 1457 Main Street West, Hamilton. Race day registration or pre-registration pick-up will be in the McMaster University Student Centre from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.

So, collect some sponsorship pledges, lace up your runners, come out for some exercise, and support a wonderful and worthwhile local cause!

For more details about the event (including the route, directions to McMaster, rules, etc.) please call (905) 389-5884.