Some thoughts and comments from PMHF - The Toronto Weekend to End Women's Cancers

canderson · Member

Some thoughts and comments from PMHF

Didds · Veteran Member

I won't comment on 1 and 3 because I understand the situation even though I will miss day 0 (I suspected cost would be a factor with that and the cheaper credentials) but on #2... I see what you're saying and your analogy with the MS walk, but I guess the difference is that MS can effect everyone, whereas women's cancer only effects women. I do think that it is alienating.

My SO came and watched the closing ceremonies with me and he was very put-off by the name change. He said that if someone were to approach him with that, the phrasing could make him less likely to donate. I don't personally agree with what he's saying (just because you can't get it doesn't mean you shouldn't be concerned about it), but he was speaking honestly and I am sure he's not the only one who shares this point of view. Taking that into consideration, when I fundraise now I am continuing to call it the weekend to end breast cancer and just making note of the fact that it is an event with a goal of ending breast and gynecologic cancers. The words you choose can make a big impact on the way what you're saying is received.

I think the weekend to end cancer, while generic, probably would have been a good choice. It also leaves the option of opening up fundraising to even more options in the future without requiring another name change and is far more inclusive.

-- Edited by Didds on Wednesday 23rd of September 2009 03:12:59 PM

Didds · Veteran Member

And thank you for reading our comments and following up. I'm sure everyone appreciates it :)

Fire Chicks · Veteran Member

I don't miss Day Zero at all. It was much easier to do everything online. As for the name change, it really doesn't affect me as I've always called it the Weekend to End Cancer and left it at that.

As a survivor of uterine cancer, I feel more "included" in the event now (although that never stopped me from participating for the past 4 years).

-- Edited by Fire Chicks on Wednesday 23rd of September 2009 05:09:12 PM

JulieK · Senior Member

Even if there is no day zero, it would be nice if day 1 could start at 7 instead of this year's 8. If that means some people have to get there very early, or don't leave right at 7, so be it. Actually, maybe next year more people will take advantage of the early registration now that people have experienced it once.

Walker1 · Veteran Member

Christine:

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our comments and for explaining the rationale behind the changes.

I personally do not feel comfortable with the new name. Given that, I will simply refer to the event as the Weekend to End Cancer when I am fundraising and encouraging people to donate. Not a deal breaker.

I think the issue with not having a Day Zero for a lot of us was not so much the lack of Day Zero but more the late start on Day One. I won't repeat all the reasons why we felt the late start didn't work...I'm sure you've read them all. I know the late start was probably to handle those walkers who did not register online. Perhaps we could figure out a way to deal with them and still allow us to go back to Opening Ceremonies at 7:00am?

Again, thanks for your feedback.

Donna Pierson

Naamphong · Senior Member

As a first time walker this year, and registered for next already. The stop and go start through the first several neighbourhoods was difficult to say the least. I found the late start difficult about 15 km's from camp, as the sun was literally setting on many of us. After getting to the first pit stop and having no food, and no one at the finish to greet the walkers at the finish line at camp. I was walking by 7 am the next day and it made for a much better walk imo. Many of us were exhausted from the heat that we just were not used to, and many of us were out on the route by 7am.

I agree with many of the posts about the name change, but being a survivor myself I can hardly argue with funding for gynecological cancer research. My reasons for walking in 2009 had absolutely nothing to do with myself.

Something I think needs to be addressed is that one perks of walking was to get a massage in camp upon arrival. When we arrived in camp, we walked from the finish line to the massage tent to be told <rather abruptly I might add> that there were no massages. No where in the literature did I read possible massage. What I read was book your massage as soon as you get into camp!

Further, only one medic in the medical tent on Sunday morning was not only unfair to the medic on duty but to the walkers who had not showered or had breakfast yet and were still sitting there at 7.

Just my two coppers...but I am very happy that someone is reading the boards from PMH

sue g · Member

I too would like to say THANK YOU for reading the message boards,
I found it very disheartening to read that there were walkers who got to a pit stop that had no food, ad to be told there were no messages, I cannot understand that. I walked by that tent right up till the end of the night and people were getting rubbed.
The med tent was concerning, to see dozens and dozens of people in line at the end of day one was a little upsetting, left me wondering how many other people needed medical attention, but left without the care they needed due to the long line ups.
I crewed this year for the first time (walked two previous years and plan to walk next year if I can raise the money) and I can tell you, you see things from a different view when you crew. I liked the view as a walker much better.
The survey that was went out, while pretty complete, would have been great to see a place for Free form comments.
or an email or website we could post comments to for anything not included on the survey.
See you all in 2010!

David Irvine · Member

It's great to know that the comments are being read, and that there's participation on the forums from within the PMH.

I don't live in TO so day zero this year was convenient for me-- in fact I was probably less distracted watching the video at home online than in a room with alot of other people.

I posted a recent comment in the name change thread, taking into consideration what was mentioned regarding the process of the name change.

Thanks again for your post!

-Dave

Landisg · Veteran Member

This was my 8th walk (crewed 4xs & walked 4 times) for Ottawa & Toronto.
For me checking in online helped me tremendously. I live in Chatham, and for me that means many hours of travel especially to Ottawa.& 3&1/2 hours by train to Toronto.
It was nice not to have to go to the CNE/Energy building.My Team this year consisted of 2 walkers & 2 crew members... and we all had to travel by train.We were able to leave early in the morning and go straight to the hotel...the crew members were able to rest before heading to their 2 hour meeting with out having to stand around half the day....

Although I always enjoyed that part of the weekend... I found it for the most part very very tiring and for me if i'm walking the next day.... the last thing i want to do is stand around for 3-5 hours in the middle of thousands of ppl. My walk partner and I were able to stay back at the hotel and relax in the hottub and the pool.... watch a little TV after ...while we waited for her husband & a friend to come back from the meeting.

Being an 8 time participant the late start felt odd to me. I loved leaving early the other years...it got me motivated...We stayed at the Sheraton...with a 5:30am bus charter....so being there early and on time was not a hassle. I didnt find it that busy at he re-reg tent...I had my papers for re-reg all made out and the money in an envelope with them..... took me maybe 5minutes if that to re-register.. had breakfast and was standing up by the media tent by 6:30am on my cell trying to find my lost walk partner....LOL....

There was always plenty of food when we went through the pit stops..... my biggest complaint was NO GATOR ADE ...NONE for most of the first day.... and I do have to say I found them to be rather DIS organized on that .... I actually starting feeling sick..... and that's when my partner ran into a convenient store and got us both a LARGE ice cold Gatorade....next year I will make sure I have something with me IN CASE...for my electrites ////

As for the name change...I do understand....and for me it really doesn't make a big difference ...because even tho my posters say THE WEEKEND TO BREAST CANCER...ETC..... I always let people know that though im walking for breast cancer etc. Ive lost 9 family members to cancer...2 of them (my maternal grandma & my cousin) to breast cancer.... there are 7 other cancer related deaths in my immediate family.(I lost my dad to Lung Cancer) Plus we have several survivors as well..all different cancers including bc.So I generally end up saying CANCER is cancer... just in different parts of the body.
The Name change wont make me stop walking , neither will the lack of gatorade....We need to annihilate this disease....and the money raised from these walks is needed to do that.

Thankyou for reading our concerns and getting back to us on issues....
hugs
Landis
(Butterfly of Hope in 2010)

-- Edited by Landisg on Thursday 15th of October 2009 09:20:24 PM