It’s been two years since Mike Duhacek went on his solo trek across Ontario to raise money for cancer research but his memories of that arduous adventure remain.
“It was an amazing, amazing experience that I still recall every day.”
The now 38-year-old Milton resident said two years after completing the 25-day, 917-kilometre walk, one that included him pulling a 125-pound sled behind him with the word ‘Cancer’ carved in solid wood, donations to his Help Me Bury Cancer cause continue to trickle in.
His Herculean effort has raised $43,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society, the majority of that amount during the nearly four weeks he trudged from Windsor to Ottawa with the heavy sled in tow.
The sled was meant to signify the burden of cancer that some people, and their families, carry with them.
His final destination was the office of the Canadian Cancer Society in Ottawa where he literally buried cancer into the frozen ground.
For his fundraising efforts Duhacek recently received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, a high honour for Canadian volunteers.
He received a lapel pin and certificate from Governor General David Johnston at a ceremony on Feb. 11 at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.
A 17-year civilian employee of Halton Regional Police, Duhacek is the lead technician in the facilities services department with Halton police overseeing everything to do with its buildings’ maintenance and operations across the region.
His sled trek and its literal twists and turns are still vivid in Duhacek’s mind.
“I had to try to take the scenic route because I couldn’t take the highway,” he recalled of his journey, which began on Feb. 14, 2013 at the southwestern extreme of Ontario.
“I had to travel through Waterloo and Kitchener, a little out of the way, and went down more than a few back routes and country roads where I met some remarkable people in communities that assisted me.
“People were bringing food for lunch and dinner and drinks, and they were donating at the roadside.”
Duhacek’s inspirations for the trip were three close family members he watched battle cancer.
His maternal grandparents both died of the disease, in 2009 and 2010, while his mother, Liz Crocket, developed a rare cancer of the appendix and had surgeries in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
“I’m doing this because of what I have watched my mom endure,” Duhacek said at the time of his trek.
“I am doing this to direct the immense frustration at what has happened to her into something positive and worthwhile.
“I am doing this for all of the families out there that have had to watch a loved one go through all the many things that those diagnosed with cancer go through. I am doing this in loving memory of my grandparents, who both succumbed to cancer.
“I am doing this because I want to eradicate this disease, period,” he said.
His mother has been cancer free for two years.
“We are proud and commend Mike not just for the sheer magnitude of his efforts, but for the impact he and his team had in Halton, within the police service, in the towns and villages along his route and for the legacy he continues to perform in Halton on behalf of his campaign and the Canadian Cancer Society,” stated a Halton police press release.
The walk was worthwhile and the award appreciated, Duhacek said.
“It was such an incredible experience. The Caring Canadian Award means a lot to me. I accepted that award for everyone who helped me along the way, the community and my second family at Halton police.
“If you are passionate about something, don’t wait for someone else to do something, get out there and do it yourself,” he said.
To follow Duhacek on Facebook or donate to the Canadian Cancer Society, visit https://www.facebook.com/#!/helpmeburycancer .
------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- ---------------
Detail Link :
http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/5440708-milton-man-receives-national-award-for-volunteer-work/