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Stella's Hike Against Hemangiosarcoma
Created by Sydney Trendelll
Stella's Hike Against Hemangiosarcoma
Join me on my heartfelt journey as I embark on "Stella's Hike Against Hemangiosarcoma," a fundraising initiative dedicated to raising awareness and support for Canine Hemangiosarcoma research.
As many of you know by now, Stella, my rescued husky mix, was my everything. My heart beat for her. She was a sassy, independent, and loving dog who entered my life during a very public and challenging time for me. With her boundless energy and her love for the great outdoors, Stella taught me to embrace nature and find joy in the outdoor world. Together, we have hiked every province and territory in Canada short of Newfoundland. We summited mountains, swam in every Canadian ocean, watched 20,000 caribou migrate, observed bears play, and danced on the tundra. More importantly, though, we loved life together. She was my constant, and sometimes the only constant in my life.
She saved my life more than once, and unfortunately, I could not return the favour when we lost her to hemangiosarcoma (without any warning) on August 13th, 2024.
In navigating this grief, I am trying my best to live my life the way she would have demanded. So, I am trying to continue to embrace her vivacious personality, her no-regret attitude, and her ability to marvel at the world around her.
As a result, I’m pledging to hike 580 kilometres before my birthday on March 31st, 2025, a tribute to the joy she brought me during her too-short life here. That is 200 kilometres before Stella's own birthday on November 13th, 2024. This is the distance between Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
This ambitious challenge breaks down to just 20 kilometres a week for 29 weeks, but I don't have to do this alone!
I invite you to join me in this adventure by taking your own honourary hike for Stella - if you cannot donate financially, please walk one (or more) of my kilometres for me! Take a nature walk, a jog, or a hike, and share your experience and photos using the hashtag #StellasHikeAgainstHSA. Together, we can spread the word about this important cause and honour the incredible spirit of the dog who saved my life.
Hemangiosarcoma is a common and extremely invasive cancer in dogs. It is estimated that 2/3 of splenic and cardiac masses in dogs will be Hemangiosarcoma. In some breeds such as golden retrievers, it is estimated 1 in 5 dogs will get diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma (according to the lifetime study by Morris Animal Foundation).
Hemangiosarcoma is a blood cancer that affects organs such as the heart, spleen, skin, liver and other internal organs. Often; it presents very little to no signs until it is too late. It invades these areas and causes internal bleeding and can rupture these organs. Even if miraculously caught early; the prognosis for it is usually only months of prolonged life. Despite this prevalence and scariness; what we know of it hasn’t changed much in 10 years.
Your support during this campaign will significantly contribute to the Morris Animal Foundation's Hemangiosarcoma Research Initiative (morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/hemangiosarcoma-initiative). All funds raised will go directly to vital research efforts aimed at understanding and ultimately finding a cure for this devastating disease. By participating, you not only honour Stella but also help countless dogs and their families fight this battle. Let's lace up our hiking boots and make a difference, one kilometre at a time!
ABOUT MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION:
Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds science to advance the health of animals around the world. Since its founding in 1948, the Foundation has invested over $149 million in more than 2,940 studies that have led to significant breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments and preventions to benefit animals worldwide. Please help me support advancing the health of animals everywhere by contributing to my fundraiser and sharing this page with your friends and family. Every dollar we raise will advance this great cause!
As many of you know by now, Stella, my rescued husky mix, was my everything. My heart beat for her. She was a sassy, independent, and loving dog who entered my life during a very public and challenging time for me. With her boundless energy and her love for the great outdoors, Stella taught me to embrace nature and find joy in the outdoor world. Together, we have hiked every province and territory in Canada short of Newfoundland. We summited mountains, swam in every Canadian ocean, watched 20,000 caribou migrate, observed bears play, and danced on the tundra. More importantly, though, we loved life together. She was my constant, and sometimes the only constant in my life.
She saved my life more than once, and unfortunately, I could not return the favour when we lost her to hemangiosarcoma (without any warning) on August 13th, 2024.
In navigating this grief, I am trying my best to live my life the way she would have demanded. So, I am trying to continue to embrace her vivacious personality, her no-regret attitude, and her ability to marvel at the world around her.
As a result, I’m pledging to hike 580 kilometres before my birthday on March 31st, 2025, a tribute to the joy she brought me during her too-short life here. That is 200 kilometres before Stella's own birthday on November 13th, 2024. This is the distance between Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
This ambitious challenge breaks down to just 20 kilometres a week for 29 weeks, but I don't have to do this alone!
I invite you to join me in this adventure by taking your own honourary hike for Stella - if you cannot donate financially, please walk one (or more) of my kilometres for me! Take a nature walk, a jog, or a hike, and share your experience and photos using the hashtag #StellasHikeAgainstHSA. Together, we can spread the word about this important cause and honour the incredible spirit of the dog who saved my life.
Hemangiosarcoma is a common and extremely invasive cancer in dogs. It is estimated that 2/3 of splenic and cardiac masses in dogs will be Hemangiosarcoma. In some breeds such as golden retrievers, it is estimated 1 in 5 dogs will get diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma (according to the lifetime study by Morris Animal Foundation).
Hemangiosarcoma is a blood cancer that affects organs such as the heart, spleen, skin, liver and other internal organs. Often; it presents very little to no signs until it is too late. It invades these areas and causes internal bleeding and can rupture these organs. Even if miraculously caught early; the prognosis for it is usually only months of prolonged life. Despite this prevalence and scariness; what we know of it hasn’t changed much in 10 years.
Your support during this campaign will significantly contribute to the Morris Animal Foundation's Hemangiosarcoma Research Initiative (morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/hemangiosarcoma-initiative). All funds raised will go directly to vital research efforts aimed at understanding and ultimately finding a cure for this devastating disease. By participating, you not only honour Stella but also help countless dogs and their families fight this battle. Let's lace up our hiking boots and make a difference, one kilometre at a time!
ABOUT MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION:
Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds science to advance the health of animals around the world. Since its founding in 1948, the Foundation has invested over $149 million in more than 2,940 studies that have led to significant breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments and preventions to benefit animals worldwide. Please help me support advancing the health of animals everywhere by contributing to my fundraiser and sharing this page with your friends and family. Every dollar we raise will advance this great cause!
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