It’s hard to believe the always-active Elke Dinter was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 13 years ago.
During her treatment, Dinter, 70, lost two friends to the same disease.
As her cancer went into remission, she decided to find a way to help others.
Nine years ago, she began walking in the Weekend to End Women's Cancers event.
The goal is to walk 60 kilometers over two days to raise money for the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital.
“The biggest fear I had at the time was when I heard that you had to raise $2,000,” she said.
“I thought ‘Oh my gosh’ I'll never be able to raise $2,000 and promptly raised $10,000 the first year.”
Since then, she’s raised $100,000.
On average, 21 Canadians are diagnosed with cancer each hour. And of those people, nine will die.
Feb. 4 is World Cancer Day, a day when many try to raise awareness and money for medical research.
Dinter chose Tuesday to begin preparing for her 10th fundraising walk.
This year's walk will take place Aug. 23-24.
Her success hasn't come without obstacles. Because of a degenerative condition, her eyesight is failing.
During the walk she needs a guide, and it’s difficult to prepare her online donation page by herself.
But she says she is more motivated than ever -- two and a half years ago, she was told the cancer was back.
“If I could do it with everything I have on my plate, then I think everybody can do it,” she said.
To donate to Elke Dinter, or anyone else participating in the the Weekend to End Women's Cancers, visit www.endcancer.ca.
