Our 3rd Annual Give a Breath 5 km walk fundraising event (BY BARB)

 

The serious threat of poor air quality, in Toronto at very high levels,  had many people worried (as in lack of sleep the night before) that the 3rd annual Give a Breath might not happen, but not only did the air quality index go down to acceptable levels but the weather itself cooperated (no mean feat after this winter and spring!) and it was a perfect day.  

Again, the TPW gang (and a few good men!) were instrumental in the planning and execution of another very successful event. True teamwork in action.  It was rewarding to see the smiles on participants' faces and they engaged in the pre and post walk activities.  Lots of children (including one quite famous grandson!) and we estimate that we had around 30 dogs -  also rewarded for their participation.! It really was a special family event, with fun and joy and the knowledge that we were all supporting such a worthy cause.  And from a personal perspective, I really do believe that this event - and the  other 5 held across the country - have shifted the public's mindset about lung cancer - its insidiousness and how it is affecting so many people - statistically a greater number of women than men that are being diagnosed with lung cancer despite never smoking. (Please see link below on the importance of screening) 

We had 216 registrations (including volunteers) so easily surpassed last year.  We are still waiting for the actual dollar amount raised here.  But we do know that our first ever Silent Auction also nudged the amounts higher than last year. 

And may I take this opportunity to thank all the TPW gang for their contributions, not only in work, but in wonderful collaboration and contribution to a fun filled event.  

https://peterattiamd.com/lung-cancer-screening/?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=250608%20-%20nonsmoker%20lung%20cancer%20screening%20-%20Non%20Subs&utm_content=250608-NL-%2Flungcancerscreening-email-nonsubs&_kx=nyBqGFtcDlnjg89FIJ_N8WneqlONqCRv1MuRZ8GA-mv9HdQawBDKOTg26fcwOAGX.W9ibUh

Real Canadian Women (By DANIELLE)

 I am about to do something essentially Canadian – complain about the weather. But
really? It is June 1 st and eight degrees. The heat is on in my house, and I had to close
windows yesterday because the wind was making them rattle. On the other hand, the
sun is actually shining. The flowers in High Park and in all the neighbourhood gardens
(those the wind didn’t bring down) are bright and the smell of lilacs is in the air. So yes,
it is spring. And TPWers are out celebrating it. As some of us mentioned on our
Saturday walk, we seem to be attuned or perhaps modified by weather. We tolerate
gloom and grey skies, showing up in large numbers in rain and drizzle. We don’t just
brave miserable weather, we snub it. So much for you, nasty day, we say. We are here
and we are going to show you what REAL women do. We do not chicken out. Do we
complain? Yup. But when has that ever stopped us from getting together to walk the
distance? So next week, come what may, many of us will be gathering for an important
purpose, raising funds to fight lung cancer. We will do our best to ensure the Give a
Breath event is a success, and even those of us who can’t make the walk are planning
to make a donation in support of the charity and of our friend in whose honour TPW
began this tradition. If you would like to contribute, here is where you can do so:

Praise For Librarians

I just finished a book - a pretty good one but full of Christian references which I found a bit annoying. I would never suggest banning but as I thought about that, I was reminded about several heroic librarians who risked their careers and in some cases faced physical harm when they fought against book banning.  I found this little poem by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater from the books themselves..

A Thank You To Librarians

Thank you,librarians  For protecting our places here on the shelves 

You know the faces full of love and hope and doubt who come to browse and check us out.

We are the books .

Some want us banned because they will not understand ideas are deep  and wild as the sea and stories and facts must always be free-

free and safe on library shelves so humans can lose and find themselves or understand others they may never know.

When people read, they grow.

So, thank you, librarians, for your bravery and voices protecting our places and all readers choices.

With respect, 

The Books

 

 

Happy News! (BY MARY)

 Although we all know that life has its ups and downs, this past week has been one of such happy news that I thought I would write on that topic.  The exciting news of the safe arrival on the west coast of a first grandchild for one of our TPW members warmed all our hearts, and a gorgeous photo was loved by all the would-be grandmothers amongst us.  Then came the wonderful news of a very happy outcome of a medical procedure for one member of our community, which also warmed all our hearts and filled us with gratitude.  Thirdly, Sunday's Sporting Life 10K race saw 10 of our group happily blitz through the course, making it look easy to those of us cheering on the sidelines!  A superb first race for one of our walkers was also a highlight - huge congrats to CM!  The perfect weather certainly helped this year, as did the outstanding breakfast provided so generously at the end of the race by our very own resident caterer, LR.  Hopefully these happy memories will help sustain us all when life occasionally delivers us some lemons.

THREE CHEERS FOR TPW! (BY PHILIPPA)

 I really miss my fellow walkers as I hang out with my very (VERY) pregnant daughter at
their home in Abbotsford, B.C. She is amazing, her due date is today but she’s feeling
fine so I don’t think anything is going to happen anytime soon. Her next doctor’s visit
will be on Monday, and I understand that various options to move things along will be
discussed at that time. I intend to remain here until that little babe makes her
appearance!
And I was sorry to miss the races in Kingston, though definitely not sorry to miss the
one in the rain. You are brave and hardy souls, well worth celebrating. And then there
is the Sporting Life 10 km coming up next week; you go girls! It’s only from a distance
that I really appreciate what an active group of women TPW’s are. No matter what our
respective ages may be, we keep on walking and talking together.
I will be back before the Give A Breath 5 km and the Under Armour 10 km in June. See
you when I return.