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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, August 5, 2010 · 20 Health Oakville Beaver Team Pooley battles cancer with a team effort By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER When Karen Pooley's pals in Joshua Creek do battle with a difficult disease such as cancer, it's a seriously entertaining endeavour. And they know how to generate plenty of cash while they're having fun. Team Pooley is a group of 33 walkers entered in the Sept. 11-12 Weekend to End Women's Cancers fundraiser for Princess Margaret Hospital. That's where Pooley, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, receives treatment. Team Pooley has already generated nearly $60,000 of its $98,000 fundraising goal, which is a remarkable feat for a neighbourhood effort, considering it puts them in fifth place among the top 10 fundraisers -- alongside major corporate teams including event sponsor Shoppers Drug Mart. "Team Pooley is about so much more than one person," said Pooley who describes herself as a survivor-in-training. The 40year-old mother of two is intent on doing the walk too. "All that have joined have a personal story and a reason for walking," she added. Indeed they do. Team member Lisa Thornbury is walking for her mother-in-law, Rota Thornbury, who was diagnosed with breast cancer this year. "Thankfully, she was diagnosed early and with treatment, is doing well," said Thornbury. To date, she has raised 75 per cent of her $2,000 goal. Thornbury organized a BoobFest, recently, at fellow teammate Shelley Frank's home. (Frank battled skin cancer and lost her father to lung cancer.) "I am blessed to have such a loving husband, family and friends to help see me through this." Karen Pooley, Oakville resident ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER WALKING THE WALK: A fundraiser was held to help support a local team whose members are walking in the Walk for Women's cancers, in Toronto in September. Pictured are Shelley Frank, Jeni Peterson, Laurie Hunter, Lisa Thornbury, Carma Lecuier, Karen Pooley, Kristin Brower, Alana Jickling, Liz Galloway, and Anita Woo. More than 60 supporters showed up recently (July 22) for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, shopping and pole dancing lessons. Cocktail stylist and author of Libations of Life, Dee Brun, who has done the walk for five years, hatched the idea for BoobFest. It's support like this that has given Pooley, and other women diagnosed with cancer, the strength to fight. "I am blessed to have such a loving husband, family and friends to help see me through this," she wrote on her donation page. Her husband, Dan, also credits Princess Margaret Hospital. "The benefit of their research and quality of care is something that Karen and I have experienced first-hand, and is only possible with the support of (donors)." The Walk to End Women's Cancers is a two-day, 60-kilometre trek through the neighbourhoods of Toronto. Proceeds benefit the hospital's Campbell Family Institute's research, services, and care in the battle to end both breast and gynecologic cancers. For more information about the walk, or to help Team Pooley reach its goal, log on to www.endcancer.ca.