Mark’s PanCan Warriors
Hundreds of riders come together every September for the Big Move Cancer Ride to raise funds for the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC), and this year, Welland resident Mark will be joining them. This will be his second time participating after the cause became deeply personal over the course of just one evening.
“My cancer journey began on the evening of Friday, September 16, 2022, while preparing for a triathlon later that weekend,” Mark explained. “During dinner, my wife Joanne said I was turning yellow and, after some persistent convincing, at 8 p.m., we went to the Welland emergency department.” The experienced triathlete had been going through his usual training routine all week up until that very day. “I was positive that I was just going to go in and pick up some antibiotics, and then everything would be good.”
When Mark’s bloodwork confirmed that he was jaundiced, he was sent for a CT scan to determine what was causing it. “It was just before midnight when the results had come back, and I was told that I have a mass on the head of my pancreas,” he said. “A mass which was likely cancer and likely palliative.” Mark was immediately admitted and, over the next week, he underwent many more tests and scans. “Although I still felt physically okay, my diagnosis was stage IV pancreatic cancer, with metastasis to lymph nodes in my neck and abdomen,” Mark said, still overwhelmed by the memory. “How does one go from being in peak physical and mental condition to requiring palliative care over the course of a weekend?”
Being the dedicated triathlete he is, he returned to exercising as soon as his healthcare team gave him the green light. In December 2022, Mark participated in a 5-km run in support of Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society. He continued training as much as possible while undergoing bi-weekly chemotherapy treatments at the WFCC. In October 2023, he registered to participate in the Barrelman Niagara Falls Triathlon. “If it weren’t for the treatments, I really wouldn’t have known that there was anything wrong with me. We had a good 15 months where I was doing okay.”
Since the Big Move Cancer Ride took place in early September, it served a dual purpose for Mark: it was a chance for him to raise funds for local cancer care and it served as a training ride for the Barrelman. He completed the 75-km route and raised more than $2,000 for the WFCC. “That all worked out well, and then I did another 5-km run in December, and that’s when the wheels started falling off.”
Mark learned that the cancer was spreading to his lungs, and that he would need a change in his treatments. “We knew for quite some time that at some point we were going to have to change chemotherapy because things keep evolving,” he explained, adding that he changed to a course of weekly chemotherapy treatments just before Christmas.
Determined not to let cancer overshadow all of his time, Mark has continued his work as an engineer through even the most challenging times. In January, he went to Washington, D.C., to be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Transportation Research Board for his role in designing safe roads and pushing the boundaries of engineering. Mark is the first Canadian ever to receive this award.
The months since Mark received this incredible honour have been hard. To find the best treatment options for Mark, his oncologist, Dr. Yelamanchili and her team have tried different approaches and it has taken a toll on him – pain, fatigue, another hospital stay, and, most recently, a diabetes diagnosis. It
has been a lot for Mark and his wife Joanne to deal with but they know the only way forward is one day at a time. “Dr. Yelamanchili has been amazing. She continues to look for different treatment options but is also realistic.”
On September 8, Mark and two of his daughters will participate in the Big Move Cancer Ride while Joanne and his third daughter, who is expecting his first grandchild, will be cheering for them on the sidelines. They are coming in from Whitehorse, Winnipeg and Halifax to be there with their dad, and he is grateful for their support. “Calling our three daughters to tell them my diagnosis was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life,” he said.
“To me, the Big Move matters because I have seen first-hand that local cancer care matters. I couldn’t imagine having to drive to Hamilton or Toronto for all of this. With the WFCC, we come up straight through the country from Welland; we go up Decew. It’s just a really nice way to start the day.”
The care Mark has received and continues to receive at Niagara Health has been phenomenal, he said. “Everybody just goes above and beyond. I don’t know how I could possibly put my gratitude into words.”
“And, of course, the real unsung hero is Joanne here,” he adds, glancing at his wife. “I just couldn’t do it without her.”
We thank Mark for sharing his story and for his incredible commitment to The Big Move Cancer Ride.
Sadly, Mark was admitted to the hospital within days of talking to us about his participation in the Big Move. On August 19th, Mark passed away at home with his family at his side.
Knowing that he was determined to do the ride this year, his daughters, their partners, and even his neighbours and members of his Tryforce triathlon club have signed up to do the ride in memory of Mark.
His strength, courage and inspiration live on.
Mark’s PanCan Warriors
Hundreds of riders come together every September for the Big Move Cancer Ride to raise funds for the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC), and this year, Welland resident Mark will be joining them. This will be his second time participating after the cause became deeply personal over the course of just one evening.
“My cancer journey began on the evening of Friday, September 16, 2022, while preparing for a triathlon later that weekend,” Mark explained. “During dinner, my wife Joanne said I was turning yellow and, after some persistent convincing, at 8 p.m., we went to the Welland emergency department.” The experienced triathlete had been going through his usual training routine all week up until that very day. “I was positive that I was just going to go in and pick up some antibiotics, and then everything would be good.”
When Mark’s bloodwork confirmed that he was jaundiced, he was sent for a CT scan to determine what was causing it. “It was just before midnight when the results had come back, and I was told that I have a mass on the head of my pancreas,” he said. “A mass which was likely cancer and likely palliative.” Mark was immediately admitted and, over the next week, he underwent many more tests and scans. “Although I still felt physically okay, my diagnosis was stage IV pancreatic cancer, with metastasis to lymph nodes in my neck and abdomen,” Mark said, still overwhelmed by the memory. “How does one go from being in peak physical and mental condition to requiring palliative care over the course of a weekend?”
Being the dedicated triathlete he is, he returned to exercising as soon as his healthcare team gave him the green light. In December 2022, Mark participated in a 5-km run in support of Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society. He continued training as much as possible while undergoing bi-weekly chemotherapy treatments at the WFCC. In October 2023, he registered to participate in the Barrelman Niagara Falls Triathlon. “If it weren’t for the treatments, I really wouldn’t have known that there was anything wrong with me. We had a good 15 months where I was doing okay.”
Since the Big Move Cancer Ride took place in early September, it served a dual purpose for Mark: it was a chance for him to raise funds for local cancer care and it served as a training ride for the Barrelman. He completed the 75-km route and raised more than $2,000 for the WFCC. “That all worked out well, and then I did another 5-km run in December, and that’s when the wheels started falling off.”
Mark learned that the cancer was spreading to his lungs, and that he would need a change in his treatments. “We knew for quite some time that at some point we were going to have to change chemotherapy because things keep evolving,” he explained, adding that he changed to a course of weekly chemotherapy treatments just before Christmas.
Determined not to let cancer overshadow all of his time, Mark has continued his work as an engineer through even the most challenging times. In January, he went to Washington, D.C., to be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Transportation Research Board for his role in designing safe roads and pushing the boundaries of engineering. Mark is the first Canadian ever to receive this award.
The months since Mark received this incredible honour have been hard. To find the best treatment options for Mark, his oncologist, Dr. Yelamanchili and her team have tried different approaches and it has taken a toll on him – pain, fatigue, another hospital stay, and, most recently, a diabetes diagnosis. It
has been a lot for Mark and his wife Joanne to deal with but they know the only way forward is one day at a time. “Dr. Yelamanchili has been amazing. She continues to look for different treatment options but is also realistic.”
On September 8, Mark and two of his daughters will participate in the Big Move Cancer Ride while Joanne and his third daughter, who is expecting his first grandchild, will be cheering for them on the sidelines. They are coming in from Whitehorse, Winnipeg and Halifax to be there with their dad, and he is grateful for their support. “Calling our three daughters to tell them my diagnosis was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life,” he said.
“To me, the Big Move matters because I have seen first-hand that local cancer care matters. I couldn’t imagine having to drive to Hamilton or Toronto for all of this. With the WFCC, we come up straight through the country from Welland; we go up Decew. It’s just a really nice way to start the day.”
The care Mark has received and continues to receive at Niagara Health has been phenomenal, he said. “Everybody just goes above and beyond. I don’t know how I could possibly put my gratitude into words.”
“And, of course, the real unsung hero is Joanne here,” he adds, glancing at his wife. “I just couldn’t do it without her.”
We thank Mark for sharing his story and for his incredible commitment to The Big Move Cancer Ride.
Sadly, Mark was admitted to the hospital within days of talking to us about his participation in the Big Move. On August 19th, Mark passed away at home with his family at his side.
Knowing that he was determined to do the ride this year, his daughters, their partners, and even his neighbours and members of his Tryforce triathlon club have signed up to do the ride in memory of Mark.
His strength, courage and inspiration live on.
