Ellen Matthews

To our wonderful Giants Head Grind Racers, Volunteers, Sponsors and Supporters,

After evaluating several potential options and reviewing all available information related to the COVID-19 crisis, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 7th Annual Giants Head Grind – Christopher Walker Memorial Race, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020.

For those that have already registered for this year’s event, we are providing the following three options for managing your 2020 registration:

1. Move Your Registration to Saturday, May 22, 2021

Now named, the 7th Annual Giants Head Grind 2.0, next year’s race is scheduled for Saturday, May 22, 2021. We would love it if you decided to move your current registration over to this new date. Our normal cancellation policies will remain in place, so should you find this date doesn’t work for you next year, you’ll have up to April 1, 2021 to change your mind.

2. Convert Your Registration to a Donation

For those of you who would like to donate your 2020 registration fee toward our ongoing commitment to supporting colon cancer detection, diagnostics and research, and the upkeep and improvement of Giant’s Head Park, we will arrange a tax receipt for you.

3. Obtain a Full Refund

While we hate to see you go, we also understand that some of you will need to cancel your registration for a full refund. We will definitely honor this request in the hopes that you’ll re-register again in 2021!

To indicate which option you would like to take, please click on the following link and complete the 2020 Registration Cancellation form.

Some things to note:

Summerland Waterfront Resort remains open to support their long-term guests. If you have an existing reservation and are are able to travel by then, they would love to welcome you! However, if the current circumstances continue and you cannot be in Summerland, please contact the hotel directly to cancel your booking.

Wishing you health and safety as we navigate these most unusual circumstances, and thank you so much for your continued support.

As we prepare for this year’s 6th Annual Giants Head Grind – Christopher Walker Memorial Race I will never forget the reason this race began. Losing, our son Chris to Colorectal Cancer, our otherwise healthy, fit, world by the tail child, to this dreadful disease carries heartbreak and heartache that never ever takes a time out. 

But I will also tell you that every participant, volunteer, sponsor and supporter of the Giants Head Grind helps to soothe the sadness in ways that words will never describe. You, taking the time to join us in whatever way you can is something extraordinary and a gift that we are more than grateful for. Our family does this event in Chris’s memory, but everyone has their own reason to take part. Whether supporting someone currently living with cancer, celebrating with those that have left cancer behind or remembering those that are gone too soon, this race is your race. Thank you, thank you, so very much. 

One of our goals is to continue to raise awareness of Colorectal Cancer in all persons, but particularly in younger people who, until recently, were not considered to be likely candidates for this type of cancer. With the permission of Barry Stein, President and CEO of Colorectal Cancer Canada here is the most recent update on early detection tests for a type of cancer that is not widely talked about but is taking far too many far too soon.

In the area of early Detection of Colorectal Cancers, …things are happening, but they are happening far too slowly.

The Colonoscopy remains the Gold Standard for actual confirmation of what is really happening in your colon. Without question, it is an invasive procedure and difficult to get unless you are presenting specific symptoms or are in a high-risk group. 

While it is clear that early detection is critical in saving lives for those with colorectal cancers it is the hope that less invasive tests more easily administered will be the answer.

There are some promising tests on the horizon according to our friend and Colon Cancer survivor Barry Stein. Barry is the President and CEO of Colorectal Cancer Canada and has been outspoken on the need for early detection in Canada for several decades now. 

A number of blood tests have been developed which Barry refers to as “Executive Tests”; they are costly and as yet don’t have clinical trial back up. Of course, the FIT Test, which has been used for several years, is a well-regarded option and while is an easy test to take at home, it is still difficult to convince most general practitioners to order this test without plausible cause. In the US there is also a DNA test that is covered by some insurers and promoted by an organization called Exact Sciences. In all of these cases, a positive result means a colonoscopy, which, while invasive is the only way to make positive confirmation of the presence of cancer.

In Alberta, a new urine test developed by the late Dr. Fedorek appears to be gaining attention, however much more data is still required before it may become widely available. 

Early detection is critical, it is the key to saving lives and it is through easily administered tests such as the ones noted that it is hoped more individuals will know much sooner, they are, in fact dealing with colorectal cancer and be in a better position to fight and win. 

We are climbing the Giant May 18th in an effort to ensure more attention is brought to finding and fighting Colorectal Cancer Early, preventing life-ending diagnosis and saving lives old and young. But, we are climbing a bigger Giant everyday as we continue to push for more and better screening to stop colorectal cancer dead in its tracks.

Sponsor Highlight: Finley & Associates

It was on her first days of Grade 10 at Henry Wise Wood High School in Calgary, that Ellen Walker-Matthews, organizer of Giants Head Grind, met Donna Finley. Little did the two young women know, that what began as a strong and immediate friendship would continue for more than 40 years and endure marriages, children, divorce, long distance… and more.

In 2014, Donna participated in the very first Giants Head Grind. She has been part of the event ever since.

Donna’s commitment to the Giants Head Grind came not only because of its cause – to raise funds for Colon Cancer detection, diagnostics and research and to support the continued upkeep and improvement of the trail system in Giants Head Park – but also because of her desire to support her closest friend after the loss of her son. In 2016, Donna brought her eldest daughter and business partner Rebecca Finley-Schidlowsky to Giants Head Grind. After an incredible weekend, the two women knew that it was an event their company wanted to throw their support behind. Last year, Finley & Associates sent several members of their team from Calgary to participate in the race and raise funds for the cause. They also came on board as an official sponsor.

This year, we are thrilled to announce that Donna and Rebecca are bringing the entire Finley & Associates office from Calgary for this special weekend, and have come forward as significant event sponsors!

It is through this kind of ongoing support that we can continue to host the Giants Head Grind and raise awareness and funding for early detection of Colorectal Cancer. Our wholehearted thanks goes out to all of those at Finley & Associates, and in particular to Donna Finley and her family, who are taking the time to travel to Summerland in May to participate in the 5th Annual Giants Head Grind.

For more information about how Finley & Associates transforms organizations and their leaders through a strategic, candid and empowering approach, go to www.finleyandassociates.com. Or look for their entire team at the Giants Head Grind in May!

“The day will come when the memory of the person you lost brings a smile to your lip before a tear to your eye — that’s when you know you’re going to make it.”

– Former Vice President, Joe Biden tells PBS NewsHour what helped him deal with grief.

Giants Head Grind is a great day and a great success because of each and everyone of you that come out and join us each year as a participant, volunteer or donor. Everyone that participates does so for their own reasons and has their own distinct story. It is a day dedicated to an important cause and it is raising funds to support that cause, Colorectal Cancer  and to preserve an important landmark in our community our  Giants Head Mountain.

However for me the Grind will always be about Chris. For me it is the hope that something good can be built out of something so tragic. I carry him with me every single day and I will for the rest of my life but he is especially close to me in May as we prepare for the race and the anniversary of his death. He will be forever in my heart, he will be forever in my prayers, he will remain forever young. Remembering you today and always Chris.

The following  article was originally published in the Summerland Review, by Ellen Walker-Matthews.

Colorectal Cancer; it’s not a subject that comes up very frequently at dinner parties unless of course you are a visitor in our home.  In 2013, after an 11-month battle, our 29-year-old son Chris lost his life to colon cancer. He was by many accounts an unlikely candidate, otherwise healthy and fit, an avid runner and cyclist, triathlete, two-time Ironman finisher, and the list goes on. Yet despite all of this, one a rainy day in 2012 at Vancouver General Hospital we were hearing a doctor saying “stage 4 metastatic colon cancer” and wondering how this could have happened.

We have come to learn this news is being delivered to far too many families every year in Canada and throughout North America as colorectal cancers are the 2^nd and 3^rd leading cause of death from cancer in men and women respectively. More over while the incidents of this form of cancer are showing signs of declining in individuals over 50 years of age they are increasing in those that are younger; a fact that is both alarming and concerning.

Through the efforts of Summerland Rotary, the District of Summerland, a committed group of volunteers and spurred on by those of us that knew and loved Chris, the Giants Head Grind was started in May of 2014 to elevate awareness of this deadly disease.  Now in its fourth year the event continues to attract over 400 individuals of all ages who walk, run and cycle their way from Peach Orchard Park on Lake Okanagan to the top of Giants Head Mountain. Together with dedicated volunteers and sponsors, who help to make the race a reality, we are literally “kicking butt” raising awareness and raising funds.

We have also forged a relationship with the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada and are pleased to be welcoming their Founder and CEO Barry Stein, himself a survivor, to this year’s event.  Diagnosed in his early 30’s he ultimately sought treatment in the United States which saved his life, but he vowed to bring about change in Canada. His focus is threefold: Awareness, Advocacy and Education around a disease that is preventable, treatable and beatable.  Their most recent initiative “Never Too Young” puts a focus on the issue increased incidents in young people highlighting the need for better access to screening and treatments.

Healthy and active lifestyles are a cornerstone to cancer prevention which is why a portion of the funds raised at the Giants Head Grind are also being used to improve the trails on Giants Head Mountain. Leading the way on this initiative is The District of Summerland who together with Summerland Rotary are developing a mountain master plan followed by a phased implementation of the recommendations. In addition, recent funding from Rotary International and the Provincial Liberals are helping to further augment this work.

Collectively our goals will help to ensure the long term health of our mountain while providing a spectacular location for outdoor recreation that residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come.

A lot has been accomplished in a few short years but there is so much more to be done.  The Giants Head Grind is an event that has been embraced and supported by the community something we are most grateful for.  Whether you participate, volunteer, sponsor or cheer on those that are making the climb, your support of this cause that touches so many lives, is tremendously appreciated.

Miracles Do Happen When We Conquer the Giant… Together at the Annual Giants Head Grind – Christopher Walker Memorial Race.

We hope you will register or donate now!