He might not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but Coquitlam's Kevin Cameron is reaching new heights in his battle to conquer cancer.
Cameron will be among those taking part in the inaugural Concrete Hero Ultimate Urban Obstacle Challenge in downtown Vancouver Sunday. The innovative fundraiser will draw thousands of British Columbians to scale massive obstacles and race along Vancouver's streets and alleyways in support of the B.C. Cancer Foundation and leading-edge cancer research in B.C.
Not long after completing the Ride to Conquer Cancer in June, Cameron began training for the Concrete Hero challenge that will incorporate a mix of iconic British Columbian landmarks, which are replicated as obstacles along the seven-kilometre course route.
"The Ride to Conquer Cancer helped me in many ways [to recover] from a very hard battle with cancer," said Cameron. "I have always been a very active sports-minded person, so as my healing continues in the right direction the Concrete Hero comes along to help me again."
Cameron was healthy, fit and strong when he was diagnosed with stage four head and neck cancer three years ago.
"My only hope wasextremely aggressivechemo and radiation therapy at the B.C. Cancer Agency. The treatment reduced my body weight drastically but it saved my life. To celebrate my twoyears in remission,Iregistered for Concrete Hero totest my newly regainedstrength and more importantly, to raise vital funds for groundbreaking research."
Cameron will put his new fitness levels to the test by joining hundreds of other British Columbians in the event that will see them leaping over dozens of cars and climbing buses in the "Lions Gate Lockdown", swinging over the muddy waters of "Lost Lagoon" and climbing nearly two storeys over "The Chief" - all along Vancouver's streets and alleyways. The event will end with an urban-style block party.
"The challenges in Concrete Hero provide another vehicle for the B.C. Cancer Foundation to bring positive attention and much-needed funds to their efforts to end cancer. However, more than that, Concrete Hero provides a symbolic connection to the extreme battles a cancer patient and their families must wage," said Cameron, whose team has now raised more than $55,000 to help conquer cancer and save lives.
Cameron said he no longer feels helpless and the physical activity and positive mental connection to so many like-minded people will help continue to fast-track his healing process.
"So I may fall in some water, get sweaty running an obstacle course, or even take a hit from a dodge-ball or two but I will not stop, not until cancer is no more."
The foundation reports that more than 24,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in B.C. this year alone.
"The B.C. Cancer Foundation is on a bold mission to dramatically improve the lives of those diagnosed with cancer by supporting world-class cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency," said Douglas Nelson, president and CEO of the B.C. Cancer Foundation.
"We designed Concrete Hero specifically to engage people from all walks of life to become heroes in their community by completing a seven-km race while raising vital funds for life-saving cancer research initiatives."
To register, donate or receive more information on Concrete Hero, visit www.concretehero.ca or call 604-488-HERO (4376).
