Giselle Mister and Lisa Skramstad are two of the women who have come together to help raise funds for Cindy Kruk.
Kruk was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer in March of this year. She has had a full hysterectomy and is now undergoing chemotherapy, but the process means that she is not able to work for at least six months while she undergoes the treatment.
“Hopefully the treatment will be done by September of this year,” says Mister.
In light of all of this, Mister, Skramstad and a few other local women have decided to walk from Lake Cowichan to Duncan on July 21, to raise money for their friend and to show support for the family.
The walk will begin in Saywell Park at 9 a.m., and Mister says she hopes that those participating will arrive in Duncan by about 2 p.m.
The finish line will be at the Duncan firehall, where there will also be a fundraiser in the form of a burger sale, silent auction, and a bar.
All items for the auction have been donated by local businesses and individuals.
For the walk, SureSpan Structures has donated pilot cars to ensure walker safety and to carry snacks and drinks, donated by Country Grocer, for participants.
For those who wish to participate in the walk, there is a minimum $50 pledge, which goes to cover the cost of t-shirts (which will be handed out to all participants), and towards the Kruk family.
Participants can also elect to seek pledges from community members. Pledge sheets are available through Mister, by calling 250-480-8588.
For those who do not want to participate, but would like to make a donation, there are pledge sheets under Mister’s name at the Lake Cowichan Legion and at Home Hardware.
Mister and Skramstad say they thought that doing a walk would be the best way to honour Kruk and generate awareness of her family’s need for support. The women had formed a regular walking group, including Kruck, around Christmas time of last year before Kruk was diagnosed.
“So we felt it was best to walk somewhere,” says Mister.
Kruk has been part of the Lake Cowichan Community for the past 14 years, and has worked at Island Pharmacy and the Legion.