We have been taking a pause from our blog in order to focus on some family health issues. We normally post about our travels, adventures and share our enjoyable times. However, this particular post will be different because we are going to discuss an issue that affects almost every family at some point. That issue is Cancer and how that terrible disease not only affects people but changes lives forever. We are in the midst of dealing with treatments for a family member who is receiving care at the Ottawa General Hospital. The hospital has been excellent and the staff has been extremely friendly, helpful and caring. It is during the hard times of dealing with cancer that the little things mean so much. A friendly smile and a helping hand make a tremendous difference in helping to cope with cancer. The simple acts of kindness may seem small but have a large impact on us and provide great comfort. There are so many people who have helped us throughout this ordeal. Some people brought baked goods or drove us to and from the airport, others have provided helping hands at the hospital almost every day. They have provided words of encouragement and support. All these simple acts of kindness have given us strength and have helped us to cope.
One gift in particular we received was very moving and touched our hearts. They were hoodie sweatshirts, but what was so special was the cause “Valerie’s Flutter” and the note that was included.
The note which had a personal message was very moving and touched our hearts deeply. The note read, in part…. ” Valerie’s dreams one of many was to travel the world”
Valerie was Ray’s second cousin and an amazing young woman. When Valerie graduated grade 12 she was awarded the Governor General’s medal for achieving and maintaining the highest grade point average of all her classmates from Grades 9 to 12.
She continued school and enrolled in Civil Engineering at Ottawa University and had just completed her first year when she was diagnosed with Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma cancer in June 2010.
Her story and her battle with cancer are truly inspirational. Valerie was only 19 years old at the time and she continued her schooling and kept up part-time studies while undergoing recovery from surgery and treatments.
Valerie took her situation and made a choice to focus on a purpose and goal to raise money for cancer research. She was a focused and driven person who created a team called “Valérie’s Team” which consisted of approximately 200 people.
In September 2010 Valerie completed the Terry Fox 5K Run while on roller blades. Valerie and the team raised over $25,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Today there continues to be a Valerie Team competing yearly in the Terry Fox Run.
The Terry Fox Run became a catalyst that would get Valerie involved in public speaking. She became a symbol of strength, courage, and determination of purpose. She spoke at the Ottawa Kick-Off Breakfast for the Terry Fox Run on September 9th, 2010 and after that day she became a public speaker. Valerie spoke to many different groups about her battle with cancer and that “cancer is not something to be afraid of; it’s an opportunity to realize how precious life is and how we can all come together and make a positive difference in the world”.
Her story and the Valerie Flutter foundation have been a source of strength for us as we deal with our family situation. In honour of Valerie and her dream of traveling the world, we will carry her in our hearts and minds at every adventure as we travel. We will post an image of us with a Valerie Flutter Foundation logo in our travels to commemorate Valerie.
She was such a precious person and died one month after her 20th birthday on June 15, 2011.
“A dream and purpose so compelling will never allow you to give up.” -Valerie Goneau
http://www.valeriesflutter.com/home
You must be logged in to post a comment.