Walk 4 Life

Hey;

My journey as come to an end…and not a minute too soon I might add… I am exhausted. Still… I feel there must be something else I could do to make a difference. Oh, well…I’ll figure something out.

There are so many people that I must thank for helping make my walk 4 life a success. First of all, and most importantly…I want to thank my donor family for giving me a chance at a new beginning. If they had not made the choice to let their loved one be MY HERO, I may not be here to serve what I feel is my purpose in life…creating awareness about organ and tissue donation so others may be as fortunate as I was to receive a gift of life. I only hope that I can make my donor family proud of the decision they have made. I received my kidney in Halifax, in the wee hours of the morning, on August 14, 2006. I’ve been feeling great ever since. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart and soul.

Next I would like to thank my sponsors…Scotia Bank, Union of Public Sector Employees, Prince Edward Island Nurses Union, Ocean/K-Rock, Super 8 Hotels, Tim Horton’s, Enterprize Rent-A-Car, and Maritime Electric.

Thanks to the Rollo Bay Inn and CBC Radio & Television.

Thank-you Joe McCabe and all the volenteers from the Kidney Foundation for organising the walk and giving me their full support along the way.

I want to thank my wife for being there every step of the way. I love you BlueEyes…couldn’t have done it without you.

Thanks so much to my friend Sandra MacNevin for her love, help and support… and thanks for walking with me part of the way. Sam…your a good friend. Thanks Mom Ransey for the use of your cell phone.

Also, my wife’s friends and family, in Newfoundland, have been following me on this sight all the way. Thank-you for your words of encouragement…each day , I would come home and read your comments. It gave me strength, just knowing that you  believed in me. I love you all. You guys are ‘THE BEST’.

 I want to thank my parents in Ontario for their support. I hope I made them proud. My little sister Debbie made a generous donation. Thank you Little Debbie…I love you…I only wish you could have left a comment.

Thanks to my sister-in-law, Penny in Ontario, for spreading the message there and telling her friends about my endeavor. Way to go “Penny-Shmeny.” Keep the ball rollin’.. thank your friend Terry for her comment for me, too.

Thanks to all the people who came out to greet me along my route…(including all those ’smiling doggies’.)

Thanks to everyone who made their donations on this sight. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to The Lions and Lionettes in Hunter River.

Thank-You to my daughter Meaghan in, Selkirk, Manitoba, for her support and encouraging words . I miss you so much. Wish you were here.

I was proud to have my son, Cory and his 2 best friends Adam and Brady along for the walk today. They walked 12 of the 17 klms to Tignish. Good job boys!!!

A special thank-you to everyone in Tignish for making my last day memorable. You guys are great. Thanks for the warm welcome, refreshments, support, words of encouragement, generous donations and a fond farewell.

I hope I didn’t forget anyone. I love you all and God Bless.

Just incase you’re interested…When I first started out at East Point, I put my message in a bottle and deposited it into the water…I did the same thing at North Cape. I hope someone finds it and spreads the word.

 Heroes Just Like You

Here on earth, as we all know…

there’s a heart that skips a beat

lungs that take a labored breath

…and kidneys in defeat

So, don’t take life’s gifts to Heaven

Lord knows we need them here

Someone here on earth can’t see

but, eye sight’s twenty-twenty there

So many people praying

for a hero to come through

choose to be a donor

…and that hero could be you

(poem by wife Debbie)

I think my wife’s poem sums it up pretty good. Be a donor and tell your family of your wishes.

Until next time…Fare Thee Well!

P.S. Hey, Penny and Gary…Guess what?…I “Got ‘er done”.

Hey:

I can’t believe I’m almost at my destination..WOW!

I set out today at 8:15 am and finished up at Elmsdale as planned. As we drove to my starting point this morning it was raining heavy, which was a little discouraging but, on the way my wife told me she said a little prayer. She prayed the rain would stop so that I wouldn’t get wet and chilled…well…as I got out of the car and proceeded to take my first steps, the rain stop completely. I went the whole distance without a single raindrop falling. That’s the power of prayer. I didn’t get wet or chilled.

I stopped at Tim Horton’s in O’leary to rest and enjoy a cup of coffee and I spoke with the baker there. Her name is Gertie Morrison. She came to meet me and she told me of her experience on the trail in 2006. She set out one night at 12:00 midnight and road her bike. It took her 16 and a half hours to complete her trek along the trail. Way to go Gertie. You can visit her site at gertiespedalpals.ca.tc

As I continued on my journey, Eric from the Journal Pioneer, showed up to walk about 2 klms and to talk of my progress. Thanks for coming out again this year, Eric.

I want to take this time to thank everyone who has been following my story on this site. Thank you for your support, your encouraging comments and donations. I would also like to thank everyone who came out to greet me and show me that there are people out there who will take a little time out of their otherwise busy schedules just to show they care. thank-you to Margeret Cain, Devon Harper, Brett Bownes, Shirley Smith, Leona Lane, Alan Parker and Waynette Wood. Your donations and support is greatly appreciated.

Thanks  Joe… for coming out and walking with me again. I enjoy your company.

Well…tomorrow will be my last day. I will be sad it’s over…if I make it…wink, wink! I’m on the last leg of my purpose drivin journey…and MY  leg is telling me it’s glad it as served it’s purpose but, it can’t wait ’til I let it rest for a while…at least ’til next year…lol

…until tomorrow my friends

Hey;

Another full day today. I walked 40 klms. From Miscouche to West Devon. I did 2  interviews along the way… Ocean Radio and The Morning Show on CBC Radio.

Started out at 8:00 am and finished at around 3:30pm. Our friend Sandra joined us around 9:00 am to keep my beautiful wife company in the car as she followed close behind me. I want to thank my wife for supporting me through this. She is a big part of all I do. I can always count on her to be there when I need her. Thank-you my sweetheart.

I’ve been having pain in my left leg the last couple of days. I talked to our local pharmacist after my walk today to see if there was anything I could do for the pain. She called my condition… Shin Splints…and  said there was nothing I could do but, rest my weary bones…CAN’T DO THAT…2 MORE DAYS TO GO…I WILL ENDURE…lot’s of time to rest, later.

I want to thank everybody who has been following my progress here. If you do check out this site, PLEASE… don’t close without leaving a comment.

Oooh…rain in the forcast for tomorrow…like I said…I will endure.

Good night all!

Oh…I amost forgot…WELCOME HOME JOE!.

Hey;

I had another successful day today. I started out at Norboro at 7:30 am and ended in Miscouche.

I was well received in Summerside with a police escort from Tim Horton’s on Granville street, to the Wellness center. Thank you Sandra and Mom Ramsey for taking this walk with me.

I was greeted by volunteers, Elaine Maclean an Margeret Macfarlane. Margeret’s son, Gordon, has undergone more surgery recently after receiving a previous liver transplant. Good luck Gordon. I’m in your corner. Get well soon.

I was also greeted by none other than Mayor Basil Stewart, who presented a donation on behalf of the city.

Jim Brown was also present to do a story for The Journal Pioneer.

Afterwards, I was able to visit the Summerset Manner dialysis unit where, prior to my kidney transplant, I received dialysis 3 times a week, 4 and a half hours a visit. It was nice to see the wonderful nurses that took great care of me in my time of need.

It is really difficult for me to see the dialysis patients in those chairs, hooked up to the artificial kidney machines that filter their poison blood and removes access fluid. I realize how lucky I am to have received my new kidney. I feel guilty sometimes because I was fortunate and they still wait for their gift of life. This makes me more determined to do what I can to inform people of the importance of organ and tissue donation. I get mixed feelings when I see an empty chair. Is it empty because someone else received the miracle they prayed for…or…because someone passed away while waiting. I miss you, Keith.

It was nice to see you nurses Donna and Fawn. Sorry I missed you Hal, Darren and Angela. I’ll be praying for you Norman, Adel, Bob, Felix, Denton and Carol.

On a happier note…I’d like to thank my friend Sandra and her Mom for preparing a wonderful dinner.Thank-you so much Mr. Mayor Basil Stewart for dining with us at Mom Ramsey’s. It is comforting to know that you care about my cause.

Last but, not least…thanks for coming out Big Bill! Drop by sometime soon. I miss you buddy.

Hi;

On our way home …Summerside!!! See you around noon. Come on out Paula, and join us.

We visited the Beechgrove dialysis unit in Ch’town after our walk yesterday. It was nice to see my former fellow patients, though, I wish they didn’t have to be there. Hi Colby, Robert, Lester and George. Sorry I missed you  Bernise and Byron. You have a great team of nurses taking care of you. Hi Enid, Sandra, Ann, Rita, Heather and Maria. Hope I’m not forgetting anyone.

I’m hoping to visit Summerset manner dialysis along my route today.

chow 4 now!

Hi There;

Hope everyone’s day was as rewarding as mine. I walked 31 klms. today. From Winsloe to Hunter River on to Norboro.

We were treated like royalty in Hunter River just as we were last year. Lunch was delicious. The Lion’s Club served a mouth-watering home-made stew…yummy. Thanks Sam for being there to share it with us and thanks Mom Ramsey. Thanks Lion’s for your hospitality,your continued support and your generous donation. Hope to get together again next year. Wonder what will be on the menu?????

One of the highlights of my day was when my new friend Alex and his mom showed up to walk with me awhile. Thanks guys. Guess Alex and I are fellow celebrities around these parts. High 5 Alex. I visited your site. You are amazing my friend. Hope we’ll meet again soon.

Tomorrow I will start my walk in Norboro and walk to Summerside. There will be a walk starting at the wellness center  at 12:00 noon. Be there or be square…wink, wink!

I will continue on to Miscouche to end my day. Okie Dokie Smokie!

Good night…sleep tight…don’t let the zipperomperzoos bite!!

Oh…read Alex bain’s story at therunman.blogspot.com

Hey;

Me again. we had a great day today, Tuesday April 24. We started out at 7:00 am at the Rotary Club in Summerside. We met with it’s members for breakfast. I was the guest speaker…imagine!

Then it was off to start my walk at Hazelbrook Church in Hazelbrook. From there I walked 10 klms. tothe Hillsboro Bridge then across the bridge to the boardwalk in Charlottetown. Matt, from CBC radio met me as I crossed the bridge and we did an interview as we walked along.

At the Lobster on the Wharf, I was met by K Rock and Ocean Radio. They walked the boardwalk with me. There were about a dozen or more of us walking together. Elaine Mclean and Donna Macguire, both volanteers from the Kidney Foundation,  joined us as well. I would like to thank Elaine for springing for lunch which we enjoyed together at Papa Joe’s.

From there we walked up North River road to Winsloe to finish for the day. Elaine came along for the walk.

We finished at about 3:45 and drove back to The Super 8 where we were welcomed with open arms. We will stay here for tonight and tomorrow night…complementary…I might add. Thanks to Danny Murphy.

Tomorrow morning, we will start at Winsloe (Petro Canada) at about 7:30 am. If you’re feeling spunky in the morning, come join us. Hope to see you and your mom there Alex.

See-Ya Later Aligator!!!!