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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
This year 1,750 women in Canada will succumb to ovarian cancer, and the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope is hoping to change that.

Carl and Barb Bird at last year's Walk for Hope walk at Somba K'e Civic Plaza. This year the Bird's are hoping to raise $30,000 for Ovarian Cancer. The walk takes place Sept. 9 at noon at Somba K'e Park. - photo courtesy of Carl Bird

Starting at noon on Sept. 9, a 3.3-km walk beginning at Sombe K'e Civic Plaza through the McMahon Frame Lake Trail to the hospital and back, aims to raise awareness for the deadly disease.

This will be the third year for the walk, and organizers are hoping to surpass last year's totals.

"Last year, we had 85 people registered and raised $30,000," said Carl Bird, who is co-organizing the walk with his wife Barbara. "At that time we had some support from BHP Billiton, this year we're not getting that. Our goal is $30,000 from general donations, it's a bit tougher without the influx, but we've appreciated the help over the years from BHP."

Barbara was diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer two years ago, and has undergone chemotherapy several times to fight the spread of the disease.

There are several stages of the diseases: stage one, two and three and add on levels A,B,C which equate to the severity of the cancer, 3C being the most severe of the diagnosis.

Unfortunately, Barbara is now entering her second recurrence of the cancer, and has learnt that it has spread to her lungs.

"(When I was diagnosed) It had a constant stomach ache ... that wouldn't go away," she said. "The symptoms for ovarian cancer are very vague, it can an upset stomach, continually tired, difficulty having sexual intercourse, or having medical exams can be very painful – and normally they aren't"

According to Barbara, the side effects are mundane and hard to notice and the key is to listen to our own body.

Barbara is undergoing further chemotherapy treatment at Stanton Hospital and retains a positive attitude with her progress, and the couple are taking it "one day at a time."

"That's what the Walk for Hope is all about earning money to get early detection to get the money for research, also so we can get the awareness out to women," Barbara said.

The Yellowknife couple wanted to get involved in the fight to end the disease.

"We came upon Ovarian Cancer Canada's website and there was a 'Start a walk in your area' section, so we did," Carl said.

While the disease isn't as far reaching, in terms of numbers, as other forms of cancers affecting, ovarian cancer is by far the most aggressive, and with no early detection procedures, it also makes it the most deadly.

Without early detection only 30 per cent of those diagnosed with the disease will beat the odds.

The Birds are living with devastation of the disease and are hoping that the community will come out and support their cause.

"We need volunteers and they can contact either Barb or I," Carl said. "We need people to help with registration, organizing, setting up, but even more, we need people to register and make donations."

Entertainment will be provided after the walk, and a Zumba session will be available before the walk to get walkers ready, however no musical act has been booked as of yet.

Online registration is available through the Ovarian Cancer Canada's website.

Ovarian Cancer Canada is a national charity dedicated solely to fighting ovarian cancer. The organization's mission is "to overcome ovarian cancer by providing support for women and their families living with the disease, raising awareness with the general public and with health care professionals, funding research to develop early detection techniques, improved treatment and to find a cure."

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