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Glenda Szpecht – Calgary, AB

  May 9, 2022

A message from Glenda- The Szpecht-acular Sprinters’ Story.

Andrew Szpecht had a passion for and was a natural at sports. He loved nothing better than grabbing his snowboard and heading up to Sunshine or Fernie to “shred some epic powder”!

In the summertime, he would take his backpack, hiking boots, and venture into the backcountry or, perhaps, hitting the links around the city, with golf shoes on his feet and clubs in hand.

Andrew was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in 2011. He had planned to run in Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s “Spring Sprint” in June 2012. Sadly, he was unable to fulfil that goal as he passed away in May 2012; a month short of his 25th birthday.

The first “Szpecht-acular Sprinters” team was formed in 2012, with more than 180 of Andrew’s friends and family signed up to walk or run-in loving memory of him.

“We have missed coming together for the usual walk/run in Edworthy park these last two years due to the pandemic,” explains Glenda.

Last year’s virtual event was significant for the team. Nationwide, friends, and family donned their green “Szpecht-acular Sprinters” green bandanas to honour and remember their special moments with Andrew. Everybody had their own story related to him, and the positive impact he had in their lives. The memories vary from playing the sports he loved– tennis, golf, swimming, cycling, in-line skating, hiking, and canoeing… or just listening as a true mate does. Andrew was not only a dedicated teammate in sports, but most of all to his loved ones.

“The ‘Szpecht-acular Sprinters’ #10 team will be walking on June 27th this year. We will be walking in recognition of Andrew, as well as other children and adults diagnosed with a brain tumour. Our goal is to raise awareness, support, research, treatments, and most of all, a cure to end brain tumours. We’re excited to see where those green bandanas will pop up this year!” Glenda states proudly.

On behalf of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada and the brain tumour community:

Thank you! Glenda Szpecht!
 

Learn more about the Brain Tumour Walk and register for the event at www.braintumourwalk.ca!