“We lost our 13-year-old son to cancer.” Now this family honours his last wish each year at the STWM

Gilda's Club Greater Toronto

Every year, millions are raised for charity at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

One of the close to 200 official charities involved in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge is Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto, an organization which provides cancer support programs for adults, teens and children touched by the disease. To date, Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto have raised more than $620,000 through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

Last year, as part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, STWM runners and walkers raised $3.5 million for 199 official charities.

For one family, participating in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is a way to honour a loved one who passed away from cancer in 2017.

This is Ann Ramsewak Dookeran’s story:

“My name is Ann and my family and I will be participating in the 2018 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon for “Team Anthony.” We’re walking in support of Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto, a charity that provides social and emotional support for adults, teens, and children affected by cancer along with their families.

“I have been a member of Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto for many years as my son, Anthony, was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of five. Anthony absolutely loved the time he spent at Gilda’s Club. He had wonderful experiences attending the March break and summer camps, where he, his sister and cousins took part in all the activities. For about five years, Anthony would always meet “Team Anthony,” made up of various family members, back at Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto as we all came back from our annual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront run/walk. Sadly, we lost our 13-year-old son Anthony to cancer 10 months ago after a courageous fight. Before he passed, Anthony told me that it was his last wish that my family and I continue to walk in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in support of Gilda’s Club – a charity he cherished and where he had many wonderful experiences.

“We honoured that wish last year in October, one month after Anthony passed away, and we will continue to honour his wish in order to support Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto, a place that meant so much to my son and does to us as well. Anthony is truly our inspiration for participating in this event and my family and I look forward to continuing our tradition on Oct. 21, 2018. I will walk alongside my daughter Angelina Dookeran, my son Alex Ramsewak, uncle Dan Taylor and cousins Nathalia Sabare and Nicholaus Sabare. We are Team Anthony.”

Learn more about the official charities of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Read more Scotiabank Charity Challenge stories on the Canada Running Series blog here.

Registration for the Oct. 21 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is currently open.