Statement made on 15 September 2009 by Senator Terry Mercer
Hon. Terry M. Mercer:
Honourable senators, this past Sunday I participated in the Winners Walk of Hope 2009, a yearly event organized by Ovarian Cancer Canada. This year, $2.15 million was raised to fund research and programs to support women suffering from this terrible disease.
On July 16, 1996, my wife Ellen underwent surgery to investigate a lump in her lower abdomen. At that time, Ellen was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the silent killer. This disease sneaks up on women and can disguise itself in symptoms that look like other smaller problems. Ovarian cancer often goes undetected by doctors. The survival rate is not good, but after six rounds of very strong chemotherapy, my wife started down the road to recovery. We have been very lucky, and 13 years later, Ellen is treatment-free and enjoying retirement from one of Canada's leading software companies.
Honourable senators, we know the real cure to ovarian cancer will come through research, and we want as many people as possible to join us in that fight. On Sunday, September 13, hundreds of walkers joined me in Halifax, where I walked in support of Team Ellen Mercer, along with my son and my daughter-in-law. Other Winners Walk of Hope took place in 14 cities across Canada. In Halifax, I met and surpassed my fundraising goal, bringing in over $3,000 worth of donations.
On behalf of Ellen and the thousands of women across Canada who are living with and fighting ovarian cancer with the help of their families and friends, I offer my sincere gratitude to the many people who supported us in this fight. Your generosity only gets us closer to a cure through more research.
As the ovarian cancer website states: Together we walked for support; together we walked to make a difference. Thank you for helping make a difference.