Today’s hope, tomorrow’s cure

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

After witnessing first hand how cancer can ravage a family, 15-year-old Dyllan Duperron has decided to do his part to make a difference. Beginning March 14, Duperron laced up his sneakers in Lethbridge and hit the pavement. He is running from Lethbridge to Grande Prairie, approximately 959 kilometres apart, to raise money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. 

“He came up to me last spring and said, ‘I’ve been thinking of doing a run for cancer, what do you think about that?” said Boni Duperron, his mom, who is along for the journey. 

His Great-uncle Romeo passed away from cancer a few years ago, and Boni said Dyllan was at the age where he could see the effects.

“He wasn’t able to make it to the funeral, so this is his way of showing his support for that (part) of the family,” said Boni. 

Many people in his family have had cancer, with a few succumbing to it and others surviving it. 

Dyllan and Boni spent the night in Strathmore on March 18, staying at the Travelodge because, “This is the first hotel we’ve found with a hot tub,” said Dyllan. 

He trained using a treadmill and now is running between 25 to 30 kilometres a day. Dyllan brought three pairs of runners with him and as of March 18 was already onto his second pair. Dyllan’s personal goal was to make it to Grande Prairie at the end of April, but they are beginning to think it may take until the end of May. He has set his sights on raising $30,000 to $40,000 and still has a long way to go.

Dyllan has already decided he won’t be running again next year, but he does plan to hold fundraisers at home in Valleyview, AB, to continue helping with cancer research. 

When asked how he felt after almost a week on the road, all Dyllan had to say was he is “just sore every where.” To make a monetary donation go to any Alberta Treasury Branch and submit it to the trust account for Dyllan Duperron, account #879-110918901, or send a cheque to the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Tax receipts will be issued through the Alberta Cancer Foundation for all donations over $15. People interested can also track Dyllan’s progress by going to www.hopeforcure.info