Three years after his initial and successful dash to Grande Cache, Grande Prairie resident Brysen Howe will once again be making the trek south to help raise money for cancer research with the Dash to the Cache.
Since the age of four, Brysen has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society by singing at the mall, hosting bottle drives, selling teddy bears, and asking for donations instead of birthday presents. In 2019, he kicked off the most audacious of fundraisers, walking nearly 200 kilometeres from Grande Prairie to Grande Cache to honour the memory of those lost to cancer, including members of his own family.
“My great grandpapa and my other great grandfather both passed away from cancer… it’s been close to me my whole life because most of my family has been affected by it, and I know a bunch of people are affected by it, too, so it’s just a close cause to my heart,” he says.
During the long haul stroll in 2019, Howe says he was taken aback not only by the financial support but by the love he received throughout his walk down Highway 40. He adds that the 2022 event will follow a similar timeline when it comes to just how long he plans to spend each day on the side of the road.
“Just people coming down, honking, it was crazy the amount of donations, it added up and I was blown away,” he adds. “It’ll be about 40 kilometres a day to even it out, and it will help keep me in good running shape all around,” he laughs.
The 2022 Dash to the Cache begins July 24th at 3:00 pm at Muskoseepi Park, and it’s expected Howe will arrive at the welcome to Grande Cache sign, 187 kilometres away, on July 29th at 4 p.m.
For more information, or to donate to the cause, visit the Canadian Cancer Society website.