79-year-old completes walk from Calgary to Vancouver, raises over $500K for charity
With a group of supporters by his side, Gary Averbach received a hero’s welcome at Vancouver's Jack Poole Plaza Thursday, the final stop of his 1,100-kilometre journey.
The moment marked the end of Averbach’s 46-day walk from Calgary to Vancouver. The physical challenge is something he’s been wanting to accomplish for years, calling it part of his "before 80 bucket list."
“It makes me feel really humble,” said the 79-year-old.
The walk took on a deeper meaning, however, when his cousin and business partner Bob Golden made a special request to Averbach on his death bed.
“My dad took him by the hand and said: ‘I want you to walk for me, Gary, so this wretched disease doesn’t happen to somebody else,” said Adam Golden, Bob’s son. “It was obviously a very remarkable and touching moment.”
“His whole family was there,” said Averbach. “That’s how it started. That’s why it’s Bob’s Walk for Cancer.”
He took off in late June, battling hilly terrain, near-freezing temperatures in the Rockies, and scorching 40+ degree heat near Edmonton. He says he averaged around 25 kilometres a day, and still has plenty left in the tank.
“It’s amazing and it’s true. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” said Averbach. “I feel better and healthier today than when I started.”
Averbach also chose to use the walk as a way to honour three more friends and family members who died of cancer within the past year. With funds still coming in, Averbach estimates he’ll raise nearly $600,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation.
“It’s incredible what he’s achieved and I think it’s inspiring to so many people,” said Elissa Morissette of the BC Cancer Foundation. “Not just the dollars that were raised, but the awareness that he’s created in terms of the need to fund research.”
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” said Averbach.
Averbach says his next big bucket list items include a trip to West Africa and skydiving.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.