Thomas/Thomasina Wamiss went the distance for the second year in a row, completing the long and arduous journey from Victoria to Port Hardy, albeit with a little change in plans along the way.

鈥淩ight from day one there was a lot of things that could have stopped me,鈥� Wamiss said, noting in particular that a flat tire on the cart they were pulling behind them was a big problem, and then injuring their foot early on during the walk. 鈥淏y the time I got to Parksville about half of my foot was blue underneath, the doctor tried to tell me I wasn鈥檛 going to finish, but I just sent for my bike and it worked out good. With the bike I can actually ride into the communities and spread the word while I鈥檓 there.鈥�

It was back on Friday, Sept. 15, when Wamiss, a member of the Kwakwaka鈥檞akw First Nation, took off from Beacon Hill Park in Victoria for their second annual 500 kilometre Sobriety Walk for Cancer. Wamiss arrived in Port Hardy on Wednesday, Sept. 27, two days earlier than anticipated.

鈥淕etting here was definitely worth it,鈥� Wamiss said after finishing the trek by going down Highway 19 all the way to Carrot Park, where a large group of people were waiting to celebrate the incredible accomplishment.

鈥淣o matter what鈥檚 in front of you, don鈥檛 let it stop you,鈥� added Wamiss. 鈥淔ind another way or continue to push forward, believe in yourself because you can do it.鈥�

Wamiss noted they were inspired to create the walk after losing two brothers to cancer and gaining a renewed gratitude for health after becoming sober. This year鈥檚 walk began on the third anniversary of their sobriety.

鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 quit when I did I鈥檇 be dead,鈥� Wamiss said, 鈥渏ust because of how severe it was when I was drinking.鈥�

Wamiss鈥� father, Spruce Wamiss, passed away back on Dec. 4. They鈥檇 been working together on speeches for the walk that were in both Kwak鈥檞ala, their traditional language, and in English.

鈥淚 dedicate my sobriety and this walk to my dad, because he was a [residential school] survivor. The stuff that was causing me to drink was all petty problems compared to what my dad endured in residential school every day. He was told he wasn鈥檛 supposed to speak his language anymore, he wasn鈥檛 allowed to talk to his family anymore, they were trying to kill the Indian, but he survived when so many children never made it home.

鈥業 mean, what my dad endured for me to even be born, my sobriety is all dedicated to my dad.鈥�

As for next year, Wamiss said it鈥檚 going to be a 鈥測o-yo,鈥� noting they鈥檙e going to ride their bike down island and then 鈥渃ome back up on my bike.鈥�

Wamiss so far has raised $1,570, their donation page will be open until Oct. 20. If you鈥檇 like to make a donation, go to https://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/site/TR?px=2932062&fr_id=2800&pg=personal