Angels of Hope
Certain individuals have the ability to inspire others and help turn times of sorrow into a celebration of hope. Mark de Gruchy is one such person.
A chiropractor in Ottawa with a busy practice, and a father of a son and two daughters, Mark lost his wife Veronica in the Spring of 2007 to a glioblastoma. He became aware of the Ottawa Spring Sprint a short time after his wife’s death and wanted to organize a team to walk in the event in her memory and to help put an end to this devastating disease. In only a few weeks, Mark was able to pull together an extraordinary team of over 100 participants. The “Angels of Hope” raised more than $28,000 to bring hope to brain tumor patients through programs and research.
The Spring Sprint was only a small part in this very special day for Mark and his family and friends. Mark’s family chose the day of the Spring Sprint as the day for Veronica’s inurnment. The Angels of Hope team finished their walk and then went directly to the cemetery to honour her life, and her memory.
Mark has since continued to participate in special community fundraising events raising money for the cause. He has plans to do much more.
One of the way in which Mark has committed himself to fight brain tumors in the future is by establishing the Angels of Hope Legacy Fund in Veronica’s name through Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada. Mark’s family and team will continue to help fund the search for a cure and to bring hope and support to the thousands of Canadians living with a brain tumor.
Presently, Mark is training for the ING New York City Marathon. He was selected to be a member of Team McGraw that is representing the Tug McGraw Brain Tumor Foundation, charity partners of the New York Road Runners who organize the marathon.
As Mark declares: “I am running to raise funds for research and I pray that our efforts (with the marathon, Spring Sprint, local golf tournaments and BBQ’s) will enable and empower doctors, and researchers to improve the quality of life and provide hope – first, by making this a manageable disease, and then, one day, by finding a cure.”
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À 2003 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada 1.800.265.5106
Charitable Registration #BN118816339RR0001 |