This Sunday, Janis Trainor will remember and honour her mother with every step she takes during the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope.”I wanted to co-chair this year’s walk to spread awareness in the Valley about ovarian cancer, as well as honour my mother, Holly Trainor,” said Janis, who is also co-chair of the event with Michelle Schwab.This year’s Walk of Hope takes place this Sunday at Simms Millennium Park.Registration will begin at 9 a.m., and the entry fee is $25. People can register on location or online.There will be public speakers, a children’s fun booth, entertainment and a lot of hope, says Janis.”This is Ovarian Cancer Canada’s 10th annual walk, so lets make it the best one yet!” she said.The walk can be 2.5 or five kilometres, and this year,  Ovarian Cancer Canada is offering participants the chance to recognize someone they love who has been touched by ovarian cancer. When somebody purchases a Sunflower Dedications for $5, a special sunflower sign with their loved one’s name will be placed along the Path of Hope at the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope.Janis’s mother, Holly, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2000.The doctors thought that she had an ovarian cyst and proceded to do a simple surgery, but when she came out of surgery seven hours later, she heard that she had stage 3c ovarian cancer and would only have about a year to live, explained Janis.”She was horrified but was not giving up,” she said. “She fought with all of her might to beat the disease.” Holly went online to find resources and support and came across the Walk of Hope.She decided that this was her calling and brought the walk to the Comox Valley, explained Janis.”Her walk was extremely successful, and she touched many people,” she said.Holly continued to fight the disease for many years until she passed away Oct. 17, 2009.”I now want to do this walk and get the awareness out there that all women need to hear,” said Janis. “It was horrible watching my mother suffer for so many years, and I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy. Women need to be aware of the signs and symptoms, as there is no early detection test.”There is no early detection screening test for ovarian cancer, and 70 per cent of women do not survive longer than five years because their diagnosis comes too late, according to Ovarian Cancer Canada.Common warning symptoms of ovarian cancer includeswelling or bloating of the abdomen; pelvic discomfort or heaviness; back or abdominal pain; fatigue; gas, nausea or indigestion; change in bowel habits; emptying your bladder frequently; menstrual irregularities and weight loss or weight gainOther symptoms can include a mass or “lump” in your pelvis that you can feel, an inability to eat normally, pain with intercourse and vaginal bleeding.Ovarian Cancer Canada urges women who have one or more of these symptoms and whose symptoms persist for three weeks or longer to see their health practitioner immediately.Janis recommends that people who have ovarian cancer and are looking for support should contact the Canadian Cancer Society for resources in the Comox Valley or visit www.ovariancanada.org for other options.The Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope is the largest event in the country raising money solely for ovarian cancer, according to Ovarian Cancer Canada.For more information about the local walk, visit http://ovariancanada.org/Walk-of-Hope/Walk-Locations.aspx?p=2&c=590.writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Comox Valley Record