<< Go back to Stories from the community

A Birthday to Remember

Kim and Ryan Saunders’ Story

Vancouver, British Colombia
September 29, 2015

Ryan-Saunders In September 2015, Ryan Saunders and his team donned their sneakers for their first Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope. They walked in memory of someone who was taken from them too soon.

That special person was Ryan’s mother, Kim. And Walk day would have been her Birthday.

Kim was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008. Following her initial treatment, the cancer recurred. It was during this time that Ryan heard about the Walk and suggested that they do it together. Kim loved the idea and looked forward to meeting others who were living with ovarian cancer. Over the course of her journey she’d never attended a support group.

“Treatment was the only time she was among other women who could really understand what she was going through,” remembers Ryan. “Beyond chemo, the time she spent with those women was her therapy.”

Kim-SaundersJust weeks after his mother’s passing, Ryan and members of the Kim Saunders “SMILE” Team pinned on specially-made badges. Each featured a photo of Kim herself, proudly cheering on her son as he brought home the provincial baseball championship for Whalley Little League in 2004.

“She’s remembered by all of us for her courageous spirit,” says Ryan. “She fought and she will always fight - through me - forever.”

Along the Walk route, Ryan took the opportunity to speak with survivors and provide his support, telling them that his mom made it through ovarian cancer once.

“It was great to see so many people supporting the same cause and raising awareness,” says Ryan.

Join him and the Kim Saunders “SMILE” Team at the next Walk. Register today.

Ryan-Saunders-team.png