Everyone has a reason for moving every day in May as part of Workout to Conquer Cancer. What’s yours?
Mohammad's mom Sajida was active even while facing cancer.
1. Move for Mom
With Mother’s Day in May, there’s no better gift to give mom — and yourself — than good health. Not only does Workout to Conquer Cancer advance life-saving cancer research and care in B.C., regular exercise also reduces your own risk of cancer — something mom would approve of.
Mohammad Shahid’s mom, Sajida, was always active — even during the 10 years she faced breast and lung cancer. After she passed away in 2021, participating in Workout to Conquer Cancer helped him give back to her beloved team at BC Cancer — Surrey and honour her brave journey.
When Sean Collins’ mom was facing her second cancer diagnosis back in Ireland, working out to raise funds for cancer research was a way to keep her close — despite the physical distance.
Katie (far left) was inspired by her friend Kathryn (far right).
2. Move in Memory
“Kathryn had that ‘once you meet her, you can’t get enough of her,’” says Katie Houlgrave of her high school best friend Kathryn Byer, who passed away from cervical cancer.
Kathryn was in her early 30s, a mom to a young daughter, and undergoing treatment at BC Cancer – Abbotsford when she asked her friends and family to support her in Workout to Conquer Cancer.
Even though Katie was living in Alberta she didn’t hesitate to join her dear friend in the daily workout challenge. After losing Kathryn in 2021, Katie picked it up again the next year in her memory. “I love the idea of moving every day, and if you can pick someone to do it for it’s even better — I think about Katie every time I hit my yoga mat, climb on my bike or walk the dog.”
Jillian (left) moves for those who can't.
3. Move for Mental Health
After two of her aunts passed away in March 2022 from pancreatic and metastatic breast cancer, Jillian Wilson felt helpless and struggled to make sense of the incredible loss to her family.
Fundraising to improve outcomes for other people facing cancer helped her find purpose.
“It made me feel active in the process, like I had control over something that you really have no control over.”
And while exercising every day may sound intimidating, Jillian says it can be as simple as going for a walk. “It’s more about moving every day for those who can’t.”
Dalerina says trying new workouts is a great way to make new friends.
4. Move to Find a Community
Colin Wood found strength in numbers when his Port Moody gym supported him through a second melanoma diagnosis in 2020 — and then rallied to work out alongside him every day in May to raise funds to fuel innovative new treatments such as the immunotherapy he benefited from.
Not only is Workout to Conquer Cancer a great cause, the 31-day sweat fest is an opportunity to break out of your comfort zone and make new friends through a new activity, says Bollywood dance teacher Dalerina D’Silva — who suggests adding a class to your exercise repertoire.
Rita moves to give back in gratitude.
5. Move in Gratitude
As a trail runner, yoga teacher and trapeze artist, Rita Karageorgos-Moore says, “I’ve always believed in the power of daily movement to heal the mind, body, and soul.”
But it wasn’t until she faced ovarian cancer that she truly appreciated the ability to be active.
“During treatment, there were many days when my body could only handle taking a few steps from the bed to the bathroom.”
Now, she says working out to fuel life-saving cancer treatment is way to practice gratitude. “It’s an opportunity to give back to BC Cancer so they can focus on research and working tirelessly to treat and support those affected by this disease.”
Miles for Myles moves for their 15-year-old namesake Myles Lindsay.
6. Move for Myles
This May, Myles Lindsay should have been preparing to graduate from Rockridge Secondary in West Vancouver alongside his twin brother Nathan. Instead, after losing Myles to a rare stomach cancer on June 1, 2002, his family will be participating in their fifth Workout to Conquer Cancer in his honour.
Inspired by Myles — who loved watching his family conquer wild and wacky physical challenges and smash the fundraising goals he set for them — Miles for Myles has raised more than $600,000.
“Workout to Conquer Cancer is a way to keep Myles close, to make him proud, to make his terrible journey with cancer not be completely in vain,” says his aunt, Susan.
“It’s a way to honour and cherish all of our memories of Myles and get out there and do something to make a difference for other families.”
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Move every day this May in support of British Columbians facing cancer.
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