Hello! I'm Anna! I recently turned 21 years old. Although I am lucky to have never experienced cancer myself, I have still lost two loved ones before celebrating this birthday. My friend Jadyn, March 6 2018, and my cousin Chad, April 17 2023. These are two dates that serve as a reminder every month and year since losing them; days I remember what has happened. How hard they fought. I think of my Grandpa, having to fight it again. 

I struggle to think of someone I know whose lives have not been tainted by cancer in some way.

There is a song lyric I heard a while back that has stuck with me. "They say you die twice, Once when they bury you in the grave, And the second time is the last time, That somebody mentions your name" -Macklemore. I couldn't do anything about that first time, which I will always wish I could've, but I refuse to let the 'second time' ever occur. They live in my heart and memory forever. I believe continuing to love and remember them is important for all of us to do. With this in mind:

I am doing this walk to honour them; I am doing this walk for their fight; I am doing this walk for me and my friends and family who continue to feel that loss; I am doing this walk for the millions of people fighting now and who will continue to do so.

I am doing this walk because I believe it is our solidarity that can do things. I appreciate any help you can give me, and I will work to raise as much as I possibly can. Thank you, and I love you Chad and Jadyn.