Winnipeg man running across Canada in support of cancer research
A man from Winnipeg is running across Canada in an effort to raise money for cancer research.
With just a tent, sleeping bag, and the crisp Newfoundland air in his lungs, Jackson Charron-Okerlund, began fulfilling his long-time goal on March 6.
“I am going on foot from the East Coast of Canada, started in St. John’s, Newfoundland, at the Terry Fox monument -- mile zero -- and I’m making my way across the country to B.C.,” he said.
Charron-Okerlund says he has always admired Terry Fox and his legacy.
“His story gave me the strength and the hope to build myself up to this point and do something like this, so now I just wanted to honor him in a way where I could just show him what he made Canadians believe they could do.”
Over the last four years, he has been training his body to trek long distances.
“I put in about between 20 to 40 kilometers a day on my legs, and then I would hit the weights in the gym -- so squats, calf raises, and then also building up my upper body -- because I’d know when I’m out here I’d be dwindling away,” he said.
Throughout the time he trained, Charron-Okerlund worked in a long-term care home.
He says it was through his job that he realized he wanted to make a greater impact.
“When I worked in the care home, I only got to do and give back to about 50 people and I guess taking on this cause I could help out, try and make a difference in a bigger scale.”
Once his training was complete, Charron-Okerlund packed his things and made his way to Newfoundland.
From there, he created an online fundraiser with a goal to raise $50,000.
Charron-Okerlund is travelling 7,000 kilometers in total -- his goal is to cover that within 120 to 140 days.
He says he has received a lot of support since beginning his journey.
“People hunting me down on the Trans-Canada Highway to give cash donations and each and every one of those people have a story to share about cancer, how they’ve been affected in their lives, so now every single step I take is for those people and those families.”
Thursday was day 18 on Charron-Okerlund’s journey.
He hopes to make it to Port aux Basques, N.L., by Friday night.
Updates on his journey can be found on TikTok.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.