What Movember Means to Me

And all about Mo’ Hundo, my way to fight back  

When my dad told me last fall that he had prostate cancer, I felt numb. There was fear, sadness, and anger. But at first, just numbness. 

It’s a feeling that unfortunately has become rather familiar to me over the years. And I know I am in no way unique in that experience. Cancer, and particularly prostate cancer, is prevalent in my family. Both of my grandfathers died of cancer. Both of my grandmothers and my aunt have survived it. My uncle, who had already survived testicular cancer when I was younger, went for a test after my dad was diagnosed and found out that he too had aggressive prostate cancer requiring immediate treatment.

Friends. Family. Colleagues. The list goes on and on. And odds are it is something that I might have to deal with in the future as well.

So, this year, I wanted to do something to honour all of those who are fighting or have survived cancer, and Mo’ Hundo is the result of that.  

Running has always been my escape. Last fall, after finding out my Dad’s news, I woke up and went for a very long and hard run. The day my Grandpa Bruce died, I wrote his name on my shoes and I went for a run. Six years ago, I ran from Toronto to Niagara to honour my other Grandfather, Jim, who passed away from prostate cancer that had spread throughout his body. It was the hardest thing I’d ever done before. We raised a ton of money for Movember. Funds that have helped people navigate an already terrible time in their life.  

So what is Mo’ Hundo? It’s my attempt to run 100 miles in 24 hours in Ottawa for Movember and Men’s Health. I’ll be starting at 9pm on Friday the 13th (I know, it sounds ominous…) and running throughout the night and most of the next day. My routes will take me all throughout the city, so if you’re an Ottawa resident, please keep your eyes peeled for my blue t-shirt!

Apart from simply sharing the story, I’m hoping that other people across Canada will join in as well. Walk, run, cycle…whatever it is, and tag #mohundo on social media and on Strava. That is what will help keep me going when things get tough.