Walk 4 Life

THESE ARE THE GIRLS AT THE CORNER…THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT MY FRIENDS

 THIS IS MY NEW FURRY FRIEND…SHE IS A STRAY BUT, SHE MADE PROFIT’S CORNER HER HOME AND SHE WILL SOON BE A PROUD MAMA.

TODAY WAS A PRETTY QUIET DAY. I WAS JUST TRUCKIN’ ALONG…

 MET DEAN SHARPE ALONG THE WAY…THANKS DEAN FOR COMING OUT AND SUPPORTING MY CAUSE. HOPE YOUR WIFE IS WELL.

 SHIRLEY CLEMENTS LOST HER HUSBAND, MELVIN, TO KIDNEY FAILURE 5 YEARS AGO. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME SHIRLEY AND FOLLOWING MY STORY. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR GREAT LOSS. THIS NEXT KLM IS DEDICATED TO MELVIN.

 HEY TANNER AND COLE. HIGH FIVES!! THANKS FOR COMING OUT TO MEET ME. THANKS FOR THE WATER AND YOUR DONATION. SEE YA ‘ROUND KIDDOS.

 THERE’S TRAVIS…WORKIN’ THE PUMPS…WHASSUP BUDDY?

 BARBARA RAYNER WAS HARD AT WORK RAKING HER LEAVES… SHE DID TAKE TIME TO SAY HELLO AND TO SHOW SUPPORT WITH A DONATION. THANKS BARBARA.

I JUST HAD TO PUT THIS PICTURE IN … I THINK ITS QUITE FUNNY!

…AND THIS IS A QUAINT LITTLE CHURCH

FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE DAY… IN BLOOMFIELD

WELL…TOMORROW I WILL COME TO THE END OF MY JOURNEY…IT WILL BE BITTERSWEET.

THE FOLLOWING STORY IS AN EXERT FROM FRIDAY’S PRESS RELEASE… AND WHAT A STORY IT IS. IT SHOWS TRUE HEROISM ON THE PART OF TWO DONOR FAMILIES THAT TURNED THEIR OWN TRAGEDY INTO THE MIRACLE OF LIFE FOR RECIPIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. PLEASE READ ON…

On an August afternoon in 2002, Joey Cole and his brother went for a bike ride.  Joey’s bicycle was hit by a car, and as a result, he was rushed to the Prince County Hospital, and later transferred to Moncton hospital for treatment. Not long after his arrival in Moncton, Joey was diagnosed as having a brain injury from which he would not recover.

Joey’s mother, Shelley Smith, said, “Once we realized the gravity of the situation and when the nurse asked if we had considered organ donation, we did not hesitate to say yes. Knowing that Joey is still alive in someone else and that he saved someone else’s life has made our loss more acceptable”.

Shelley Smith’s parents, Fran and Cecil Mosher of Kensington, understand her daughter’s loss.  She had also lost her son through a sudden tragic event.  Fran’s son, Stephen, fell down a flight of stairs in an apartment building and suffered a fractured skull when he was twenty-five years old. Stephen was transported to Prince County Hospital and then immediately transferred to Moncton Hospital. A week later, Stephen was diagnosed with a brain injury from which he would not recover. Fran, a registered nurse, had not even considered the possibility of donating her son’s organs until she was approached by a nurse and asked if she had considered donation. “We very quickly realized that donating Stephen’s organs was the right thing to do. Stephen did not need them anymore. We are very proud that Stephen was able to provide life to others.” This mother and grandmother has dealt with tragic losses and knows that “her boys” made a lifetime of difference for others.

SOMEBODIES HEROES

The Kidney Foundation and Sun Life Financial will be planting trees and  placing plaques across the Islandto recognize loved ones of families who have passed away and donated their loved one’s organs to others. The start of the innovative program began in Kensington on Friday, April 25^th at 10:00 am at the Kensington Community Park situated beside the Kensington Arena. Presentations by the families involved, the Kidney Foundation and Sun Life Financial were given at the lion’s club. A brief tree planting ceremony  followed. 

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SHARING MY STORY AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT BECAUSE OF HEROES LIKE SHELLY SMITH AND FRAN MOSHER AND THEIR FAMILIES, I WAS ABLE TO BE A PART OF THIS ENDEAVOUR TO REMEMBER THE REAL HEROES, BY PLANTING A TREE IN THEIR MEMORY…THREE CHEERS AND A FEW TEARS.

NATASHA(KIDNEY FOUNDATION PRESIDENT)

DEBBIE(SUNLIFE SPONSOR)

JOE (FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR)

THIS IS THE STAFF AT KENSINGTON SCOTIA BANK.

TODAY  WAS A COOL ONE…I WAS BUNDLED UP FOR AWHILE. THEN I STARTED PEELIN’ IT OFF. I WALKED FROM SPINGHILL TO O’LEARY CORNER AFTER THE CEREMONIES AND BEFORE THE BBQ.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED MY CAUSE TODAY AT THE BBQ IN CHARLOTTETOWN (SOBEY’S)

THANKS MATT…HM…HM GOOD!

  BRANDON AND COPPER

THANKS TO BARB BROOKINS ( HEAD OF THE PEI NURSES UNION ) ANOTHER ONE OF OUR SPONSORS.

FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE DAY… A REALLY OLD HOMESTEAD

TO KICK-START MY DAY, I RECEIVED AN AMAZING CALL FROM COLIN AT K-ROCK RADIO. HE TOLD ME OF AN E-MAIL HE HAD RECEIVED, TELLING OF DARLENE FARQUHARSON’S WISH COME TRUE. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLENE. I WAS OVER JOYED TO HERE OF YOUR GOOD FORTUNE. TO BE THE FIRST PERSON IN ATLANTIC CANADA TO RECEIVE A DOUBLE TRANSPLANT OF KIDNEY AND PANCREAS IS NOTHING SHORT OF MIRACULOUS. CONGRADULATIONS. IT IS STORIES LIKE YOURS THAT KEEP ME MOVING ON TO SPREAD THE WORD. I WISH YOU A FAST RECOVERY. HURRY HOME MY FRIEND. YOU HAVE A NEW LIFE TO START LIVING.

 WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO THE STARTING POINT (SLEMON PARK). SANDRA IS DRIVING WHILE MOM RAMSAY JOINS US FOR THE DAY.

  …JUST PASSIN’ THROUGH. “GOTTA GET HER DONE, BY”

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE YOUNG LAD WHO GREETED ME FROM HIS HOME AS I WAS LEAVING MISCOUCHE. THAT WAS PRECIOUS. HIGH FIVE BUDDY!

 THANKS TO MR. WAYNE WAITE WHO DONATED ON BEHALF OF IWMC ( ISLAND WASTE MANAGEMENT ). SAY…HEY… TO CHAD FOR ME.

 …AND THEN THERE WAS BIG BILL!

WHAT A GUY…NEVER KNEW YOU CARED SO MUCH MY FRIEND. I LOVE YA BUDDY!

 THANKS FOR THE HOT DRINKS ROBERT AND CLAUDETTE CAISSIE AT DAY’S CORNER ULTRAMAR.

  BABY WE’RE CRUISIN’.

THANKS TO THE BOYS AT MACARTHUR’S IN RICHMOND.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PEOPLE WHO CAME OUT WITH DONATIONS TODAY. MICHELLE FROM MISCOUCHE,  KEVIN DUGAY FROM MISCOUCHE CONVIENCE STORE,MARGARET DARRACH, DOROTHY MOORE, BECKY GALLANT, CECIL BANKS, MILES AND DOUG MACAURTHOR, MARY GALLANT, CORINDA GALLANT,  AND WAYNE WEDGE.

…BY THE WAY…MY DRIVER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO THOSE TWO CUTE GUYS WERE THAT PASSED IN A VAN. SHE IS SURE SHE KNOWS THE DRIVER, AND SHE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW THE OTHER GUY. THANKS FOR DONATING.

  …O’LEARY HERE I COME…

  I WOULD LIKE TO THANK O’LEARY TOWN’S PEOPLE FOR THEIR GENOROUSITY AND SUPPORT. I WAS WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY AND THE VERY FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE. IT WAS GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN MR. CLAIRE SWEET.

THANKS FOR BELIEVING IN ME AND MY CAUSE.

 THANK YOU TO NANCY WALLACE WHO PRESENTED A CHECK ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY OF O’LEARY.

 …AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…THESE TWO LOVELY LADIES ARE FROM THE SCOTIA BANK O’LEARY. THEY ARE OUR BIGGEST SPONSOR.

I THINK WE ARE IN FOR AN EMOTIONAL DAY TOMORROW.  WE BEST GET SOME GOOD SLEEP.

FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE DAY… MY RIVER

CHOW FOR NOW

HEY…HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENT!! ( TWIN BROTHER )

FIRST OF ALL…I MUST THANK SANDRA FOR TAKING OVER MY WIFE’S ROLE AS WALK4LIFE DRIVER. SHE IS A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, MY WIFE’S BESTEST FRIEND IN THE WORLD. WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT YOU KID? THANKS FOR THE CARD AND BIRTHDAY GIFT.

 I STARTED IN PLEASANT VALLEY TODAY. THE WEATHER WASN’T THE GREATEST BUT, I JUST BOOGIED DOWN THAT OPEN HIGHWAY… I WAS ON MY WAY HOME.

I LIKE TO GET THAT FAR BECAUSE WHEN I REACH SUMMERSIDE I KNOW I’M HALF WAY TO THE END OF MY JOURNEY.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY WISHES. SPECIAL THANKS TO MELLISH’S MOTORS IN NEW ANNAN FOR THEIR UPLIFTING GESTURE. I WALKED BY THEIR BUSINESS AND THERE WAS A SIGN THAT READ “HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN”. THANKS FOR YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS. IT GAVE ME A WELL NEEDED BOOST.

WHEN WE REACHED SUMMERSIDE, I VISITED THE SUMMERSET MANNER WHERE I RECEIVED DIALYSIS BEFORE I RECEIVED MY ”GIFT”. THERE I SAW SOME OF MY FELLOW PATIENTS AND WE HAD A NICE CHAT. IT WAS A BITTERSWEET FEELING TO BE THANKING GOD THAT I DIDN’T HAVE TO GO THROUGH DIALYSIS ANYMORE BUT, ALSO TO SEE MY FRIENDS STILL THERE AND HANGIN’ ON. MY HEART ACHES FOR PEOPLE WHO WAIT FOR A DONOR AND THAT IS WHY I WALK THE WALK AND TALK THE TALK.

 YOU’RE A FIGHTER, PAM…GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU IN HIS CARE.

 THANKS TO THE NURSES FOR TAKING GOOD CARE OF MY FRIENDS. YOU ARE A GOD SEND.

…ON TO THE CREDIT UNION PLACE FOR MY VISIT WITH ‘THE MAYOR’ BAZIL STEWART.

 SINCE IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY, MY BLUEEYES TOOK TIME OUT OF HER WORK SCHEDULE TO MEET ME AND SHE GAVE ME A BEAUTIFUL ROSE. THANKS BLUEEYES…I MISSED YOU.

  THANK YOU BAZIL FOR COMING OUT TO SUPPORT ME AND MY CAUSE.

THANKS TO SYLVIA SMITH FOR YOUR DONATION. YOU WERE ONE OF MY FAVORITE NURSES. I’M GLAD WE STOPPED MEETING THAT WAY…WINK, WINK.

 BARB MACNEIL (LEFT) IS A KIDNEY DONOR. SHE GAVE HER BROTHER THE ULTIMATE GIFT AND GAVE HIM A NEW BEGINNING. I’M SURE HE IS FOREVER IN HER DEBT.

GORDON MACFARLANE (CENTER) RECEIVED A LIVER TRANSPLANT AND IS LOOKING GOOD…NICE TO SEE YA…MY FRIEND.

 DAVID POIRIER ( CHIEF OF POLICE ) WAS THERE TO GREET ME AS WELL. THANKS CHIEF!

   MORE WELL WISHERS…THANK GUYS!

I WANT TO THANK GREG BIRD AND JEAN ARSENAULT FOR THEIR DONATIONS ALONG MY TREK. THANKS TO THE MAN IN THE BLUE TRUCK WHO DONATED FROM KENSINGTON… SORRY I DIDN’T GET YOUR NAME. 

I WANT TO THANK JANET AND ALEX FOR THE BITHDAY CARD. IT WAS A SURPRISE.

THANKS TO MOM AND DAD RAMSAY FOR THE CARD AND BIRTHDAY GIFT.

THANKS TO COLIN AND ZACK FROM K-ROCK FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES. 

THANKS TO TODD MACEWEN FOR HIS SUPPORT AND WELL WISHES. 

SPECIAL THANKS TO MOM AND DAD IN ONTARIO FOR THEIR BEST WISHES AND DONATION.

…..UNTIL TOMORROW

FAVORITE SHOT OF THE DAY… Thank-you my BlueEyes

TOODLES  

YES…NEW SHOES! THANKS HASHEM’S FOR HELPING ME SELECT AND FOR YOUR ADVICE ON HOW TO PREVENT BLISTERING… I KNOW YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE RUNNING FIELD. YOU HAVE A GREAT SELECTION OF FOOTWEAR. I KNOW WHERE TO COME NEXT TIME I’M IN NEED OF SHOES.

…OH AND JOE…THANKS FOR THE SHOES, EVEN THOUGH IT’S  YOUR BIRTHDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!

 THIS WAS MY STARTING POINT TODAY. WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START YOUR MORNING. I WALKED FROM TIM’S ON NORTH RIVER ROAD AND FINISHED MY TREK IN PLEASANT VALLEY.

THANKS TO DANNY MURPHY, WE HAD A WONDERFUL STAY AT SUPER8MOTEL. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO REST AND RELAX AFTER A LONG “WALK”. I WOULD RECOMMEND YOUR FACILITY TO ANYONE. I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE ENJOYED YOUR POOL AND HOTTUB BUT, I FORGOT MY SWIMWEAR. MAYBE NEXT YEAR.

ALEX BAIN AND HIS MOM,  JANET,  JOINED ME ABOUT 6 KLMS. BEFORE HUNTER RIVER. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WALKING INTO HUNTER RIVER IN THEIR COMPANY. ALEX IS A TERRIFIC YOUNG MAN. HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED ALOT AND HAS PROVEN THAT AUTISM WILL NOT DEFEAT HIM. HE WILL CONQUER IT AND SHOW THE WORLD THAT, ALTHOUGH HE MAY NOT BE PERFECT, HE HAS A PURPOSE. THERE IS NOBODY ON THIS GREEN EARTH WHO IS PERFECT, THOUGH THERE ARE SOME WHO PROFESS TO BE. WE ARE ALL CONNECTED. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. WE ALL HAVE OUR ROLES TO PLAY. ALEX…YOU’RE THE BEST. YOU ARE THE RUNMAN!   

WE ENJOYED LUNCH TODAY AT THE HUNTER RIVER LION’S CLUB. AS IN PAST YEARS, THEY ONCE AGAIN, MADE US FEEL WELCOME AND FED US WELL. THERE WAS CHILI AND SANDWICHES, A WONDERFUL ARRAY OF SWEETS AND DELICIOUS BISCUITS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THIS GATHERING EVERY YEAR. IT IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE STOPS ALONG OUR JOURNEY.

AS ALWAYS, THEY COME THROUGH FOR US WITH THEIR GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU. THANK-YOU BARBARA AND LOUISE. THANKS TO ALL THE LIONS AND LIONESS’. THANKS SHIRLEY FOR YOUR GENEROSITY . IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK-YOU TO BARBARA’S SISTER FOR HER SUPPORT AS WELL.

ALSO JOINING US FOR LUNCH WAS ROB NELSON(DIALYSIS PATIENT), BRUCE MAKAY (TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT) AND TRENT GALLANT WHO IS ALSO A RECIPIENT OF A KIDNEY. THANK-YOU GUYS FOR ALLOWING US THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY AND TELLING US YOUR STORIES. WE WISH YOU GOOD HEALTH AND LONGEVITY.

 I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK BERNIE FOR WALKING WITH ME AWHILE. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR HE WALKED  WITH ME. I’M GLAD YOU GOT TO YOUR CAR BEFORE IT WAS TOWED…ALMOST.

THANKS TO JANET OF THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION FOR COMING OUT WITH US AND TO ELAINE WHO IS A VOLUNTEER FOR THE FOUNDATION. BY THE WAY ELAINE…THANKS FOR LUNCH YESTERDAY. IT WAS NICE TO EAT A GOOD MEAL. PAPPA JOE’S IS A GREAT PLACE TO EAT. GUESS I OWE YA ONE…

I’LL BE STARTING AT PLEASANT VALLEY TOMORROW IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO JOIN ME. GOTTA GET MY MESSAGE OUT THERE.

FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE DAY… HUNTER RIVER

BE SOMEBODY’S HERO! GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE! IT’S IN YOU TO GIVE!

I WANT TO THANK PREMIER ROBERT GIZ FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF HIS BUSY SCHEDULE TO MEET WITH ME THIS MORNING. I REALLY ENJOYED OUR DISCUSSION AND I HOPE I WAS ABLE TO ANSWER SOME OF HIS QUESTIONS REGARDING ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION. MY WIFE AND JOE  ALSO JOINED US IN OUR DISCUSSION AND I FELT VERY COMFORTABLE TALKING WITH OUR PREMIER. THANK YOU SIR, FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

K-ROCK/OCEAN WALK

   THANKS ALOT YOU GUYS FOR COMING OUT AGAIN THIS YEAR TO SUPPORT THE CAUSE AND TO SHOW THAT IT MATTERS BY WALKING WITH ME. REMEMBER THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. THANKS FOR THE EARLY MORNING INTERVIEWS AND FOR HELPING ME GET MY MESSAGE OUT THERE. HOPE YOU’LL JOIN ME AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

THANKS TO THE DEPUTY MAYOR FOR STANDING IN FOR A BUSY MAYOR AND WALKING WITH US ALONG THE BOARDWALK. IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU. YOUR SUPPORT AND ENTHUSIASM IS APPRECIATED.

BEACHGROVE DIALYSIS UNIT

 THANK-YOU SO MUCH TO THE DIALYSIS NURSES FOR YOUR DONATION AND SUPPORT. WHEN I WAS RECEIVING DIALYSIS HERE…I WAS ALWAYS TREATED WITH KINDNESS AND REPSECT AND I DON’T KNOW HOW I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH SOME OF THE ROUGH TIMES WITHOUT YOUR GENUINE CONCERN AND EXCELLANT CARE. THANK GOD FOR ALL OF YOU.

  I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK COLBY AND ROB FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE CBC FILMING FOR COMPASS. THANK YOU MY FRIENDS FOR YOUR INPUT.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO HOMELIFE REALTORS FOR JUMPING ON BOARD THIS YEAR. THANKS FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATION. TOGETHER WE WILL PREVAIL.

THANKS TO ERIC WILLIS, JOSIE MACKENZIE, TERRI COOK, GLEN LEECO, DALE COOK AND LES RHODENIZER. YOU,RE A GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE. IT WAS NICE TO MEET YOU MY FRIENDS.

LET ME FINISH TONIGHT BY THANKING THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION FOR ALLOWING ME TO REPRESENT THEM ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

THANKS TO SCOTIA BANK FOR THEIR SPONSORSHIP AND THANK-YOU TO HOMELIFE P.E.I. REALITY INC, SUPER8MOTEL, TIM HORTON’S, PEI NURSES UNION, K-ROCK/OCEAN, ENTERPRISE AND UNION OF PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES.

OH…THANK’S HASHEM’S FOR HELPING ME FIND THE SHOES THAT ARE RIGHT FOR ME AND FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO BLISTERS.

FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE DAY… ME AND THE BOSS

GOOD NIGHT ALL

WHAT A PRETTY LITTLE TOWN… ST. PETER’S. IT IS SO VERY PICTURESQUE!

THESE TWO LOVELY LADY’S WERE VERY SWEET AND KIND TO ME WHEN I ARRIVED YESTERDAY.

 THANK YOU KRISTEN AND KALLEIGH FOR YOUR FRIENDLY RECEPTION. THANKS TO PAUL AND GEORGE MACDONALD FOR THERE DONATION. SORRY WE MISSED YOU THIS MORNING…MAYBE WE’LL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK ROBBIE THOMPSON…KEVIN KELLY…AND VIVIAN MACEWEN FOR THERE GENOROSITY ALONG THE WAY. THANKS TO GERRY HICKEY IN MOUNT STEWART.

MEET ANDREW SMITH…EMMITT MURPHY AND WENDEL PINEAU

I FOUND THEM FISHING IN MOREL THIS MORNING…THE FISHES WERE NOT BITING. I CHATTED FOR AWHILE AND LOW AND BEHOLD MR. PINEAU GOT A BITE. I KNOW WHAT HE HAD FOR BREAKFAST.

GOOD EATING WENDEL!

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF JOINING THE PEER SUPPORT GROUP FOR THE MONTHLY MEETING AFTER MY WALK TONIGHT. THEY WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE JOINED BY PHARMISIST ANDREA TRAINOR-TWEEL. I REALLY ENJOYED GETTING TOGETHER WITH FELLOW TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS AND DIALYSIS PATIENTS. WE HAD A GREAT DISCUSSION. I WANT TO THANK ANDREA FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF HER BUSY SCHEDULE TO PARTICIPATE AND GIVE US SOME INSIGHT.

WELL…I HAVE A BUSY SCHEDULE TOMORROW. SHOULD GET SOME SHUT EYE.

FAVORITE SHOT OF THE DAY…FISHING IN MOREL

NITIE NITE!