FeedsRoad to recovery
Cancer survivor passes through Plymouth
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Sean Shearon greets well-wishers at Kellogg Park in Plymouth after finishing a 26-mile trek from Ann Arbor to raise money for cancer research and treatment. Shearon will complete his walk from Sault St. Marie to downtown Detroit on Thursday. _Photo by KeThe march against cancer came through Plymouth one step at a time.
In an effort to raise more than $10 million for cancer treatment and research, 42-year-old Canadian Sean Shearon walked from Ann Arbor to Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth as part of his 18-day, 470-mile “Victory Walk” on Tuesday.
The walk, which began in Sault Saint Marie on July 27 and will culminate on Thursday at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit, is Shearon’s personal tribute to cancer survivors and those who lost their battle with the disease. That number includes his mother, Bette, who died of breast cancer in 1984.
“I hate to see other people go through what I went through and what my mother went through,” said Shearon, who was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer at age 12. “It was a big part of my motivation (for the walk).”
Shearon began training for the marathon more than a year ago by walking 4 miles a day and increasing the distance incrementally. Shearon walks approximately 26 miles a day to keep the schedule of the marathon. He was also able to gain the support of the Karmanos Cancer Institute of Wayne State University as the organization in charge of accepting donations. Shearon said having the Karmanos name attached to the fundraising drive gives his effort credibility.
“It’s a reputable, local organization. People know where their money is going,” he said.
While Shearon promised himself that he would not look at the fundraising totals until Thursday, he said he has been overwhelmed by the response of the people who have come out to support him throughout the state.
“The people who I’ve met are very, very supportive,” said Shearon, who is often greeted on the trail by well-wishers who walk with him for a day as well as provide food and other items.
“People that live (in Michigan) are just wonderful,” he said.
While Shearon doubts if he could walk the equivalent of 18 marathons each summer, he is considering organizing a one-day event to raise money for research as well as involve the next generation in the fight against cancer.
“I would like to organize locally an event where we can get young people involved to help,” said Shearon a Detroit Public Schools teacher who would fuse the efforts to fight cancer with teaching youth the importance of civic duty and community service.
“It will help them learn civic responsibility,” he added.
For more information on the Victory Walk, or to make a donation visit www.thevictorywalk.com
