Linda Hughes
I am a registered nurse from Mississauga, Ontario who has worked since 1974 at the Hospital for Sick Children, in Toronto. I am happily married to my best friend, Peter, for 38 years and we are the parents of four children. Three of the children were, "special needs adoptions" and the challenges of raising these children have given me insight into how many people it really takes to help get us through the difficult times. I also have cared for many children and their families over my years at HSC, formed relationships that went beyond the hospital walls and know all too well the reality of having a chronically or acutely ill child.
Six years ago, through close family friends; David, Linda and Erika Campbell of Barrie, ON , I became a volunteer in the community for, "Tour for Kids". It was a wonderful opportunity to help in a different way than my job as an RN but still with the same purpose , helping children with cancer and their families during the biggest fight of their lives. In 2008, I was fortunate to be chosen to go along with the "Tour for Kids" Ontario ride and met some of the most special people; riders, volunteers and most importantly, the children and their families who benefit from the money raised.
In 2009 I went on what I described, prior to the event, "as a journey of a lifetime"; medical back-up for the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. The experience lived up to my expectations and more ; I was a part of a "team" that came together from all walks of life, for different reasons but for the same purpose and at the end of the ride, we were "family"!! In every community, large and small, across the country we met people touched by childhood cancer, they came out to share their stories and lend their encouragement for our causes. We were stretched, everyday, to our limitss, but only had to remember for who and why we were there and the images of those children kept us going. Another year, another journey, I can’t wait.
