Father pulling 200 lbs sled across Ontario for cancer fundraiser
Mike Duhacek is halfway through his gruelling trek from Owen Sound to Oakville, pulling a 200 lbs sled 200 kilometres across Ontario.
“It has been an absolute struggle, I’m not going to lie. But, the goodness out weights the challenges,” said the 45-year-old Elora native.
Duhacek left Owen Sound on Saturday, pulling behind him a 212 lb sled he made to signify the weight on the shoulders of the 250,000 Canadians expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year.
He did something similar by walking from Windsor to Ottawa 10 years ago in honour of his mother, who at the time was battling stage four cancer.
“10 years later, my mom is a pillar of strength. She’s cancer free, and working behind the scenes on this event. For anybody that needs a little inspiration right now, you can look to that as a positive story. That the glass is half full, and we’re out there with them,” said Duhacek.
Mike Duhacek pulls a 212 lbs sled from Owen Sound, Ont. to Oakville, Ont. for the Help Me Bury Cancer fundraiser on Feb. 7, 2023. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
An avid runner, Duhacek said nothing could have prepared him for the physical toll the walk has taken on his body so far.
“My feet are ripped apart, now. As of last night, all the blisters split open. So, I’m dealing with that. I’ve got some moleskin on right now, some tape, and bandages, holding my feet together. My ankle is sore, my knees hurt, my shoulders are sore, but I’m still smiling,” he said.
With another 100 kilometres to go before reaching his Oakville finish line, Duhacek is tired, but hopeful. Which is what he’s trying to spread with his courageous trek with the weight of cancer literally dragging him down.
Mike Duhacek pulls a 212 lbs sled from Owen Sound, Ont. to Oakville, Ont. for the Help Me Bury Cancer fundraiser on Feb. 7, 2023. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
“I build these relationships with people, standing on the side of the road, and hear their cancer stories, and show them that there are people out there fighting for them, and we’re on one team, and that they’re not alone,” he said.
Duhacek raised $43,000 for cancer research in his 900 km sled walk in 2013. This year, he hopes to reach $30,000, and so far, he’s raised almost $12,000.
You can learn more about Duhacek’s journey, by visiting the Help Me Bury Cancer website, where you can also follow him every step of the way, thanks to his GPS tracker.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.