Former Richmond resident is walking from Calgary to Vancouver for cancer awareness

An 80-year-old man is halfway through walking from Calgary to Vancouver to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.

When the Richmond News caught up with Gary Averbach, he was just taking a break near Kamloops in the support van that shadows him throughout the trek.

Averbach is a former Richmondite who has always enjoyed walking. In fact, walking from Calgary to Vancouver was an item on his bucket list.

“Around five years ago, I was walking around Stanley Park, on the seawall… And I said, ‘You know, if I did this every day, I guess I could be in Kamloops in about two months. And I started to think that maybe before I was 80, I would do something like that,” he said.

Averbach decided to check this item off his bucket list when his cousin, business partner, and friend – Robert (Bob) Golden was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.

“[Golden] said to me, ‘I want you to do it and raise money for the cure and get rid of cancer.’ When you make a deathbed promise, you’ve got to do it,” he said.

After Golden passed away, Averbach also lost three more loved ones to cancer within seven weeks earlier this year. Bob’s Walk for Cancer Research is Averbach’s way of honouring their memories.

“Almost everybody has somebody in their family who suffered or died from cancer… I’m probably healthy all my life. I’ve never had the flu. Once in a while, I get a cold. So I’m lucky because I’m healthy,” he said.

Armed with his health, Averbach wanted to contribute to the battle against cancer.

“Maybe the money I raise may pay for two lab technicians who discover the cure for cancer. Wouldn’t it be fantastic? You can dream! That’s why I’m doing [the trek],” he explained.

Walking as healing

After walking for 21 days, with three walk sessions per day, Averbach is close to reaching his halfway mark. As of now, he has raised $340k out of his $500k goal.

He has felt plenty of support from strangers, even though walking on the highway isn’t the best place to make friends.

“I do get a lot of thumbs up. Because we call this Bob’s Walk for Cancer, people think my name is Bob, which I don’t mind. So I get things like, ‘Great job, Bob!’ Or, ‘Keep going, Bob!’ And, you know, I give a thumbs up back,” said Averbach-not-Bob.

Although some might think that walking continuously for almost a month would take a toll on one’s body, not to mention a senior’s, he has been feeling the opposite with all the exercise.

“I actually feel like I took a magic pill. I feel like my back isn’t bothering me. My feet aren’t bothering me. I feel refreshed,” he said.

“I feel like I’m ten years younger.”

Ending the trek as a family – or not

Averbach’s son Michael told the Richmond News that his dad’s quest is “incredibly inspirational,” and that he’s considering joining in.

“He is quite insistent on doing this solo. I’m gonna have to force my way in probably on the last leg as he makes his way to Vancouver,” he said.

Averbach’s main concern is safety.

“Not to be unfriendly, but it’s not safe… At times when vans go by me, I almost feel like I’m getting sucked in by the air,” he said.

If Averbach’s children wanted to join him, they would have to walk in a single file.

“They [would be] walking behind. With the noise of the traffic and everything, you couldn’t actually converse. It doesn’t present as a social event – walking on the highway,” he explained.

While Averbach is flattered and happy that people want to walk with him, he’s content with their good wishes and donations.

Averbach is scheduled to reach his last leg in Vancouver in August, where he plans to walk through Richmond - his old turf and where his daughter Shannon Gorski is currently based.

Gorski told the News that the family has been purchasing Averbach's New Balance runners from the independently-owned New Balance store on McClelland Road.

"Gary has been going through one pair a week!" she said.

Once he reaches Greater Vancouver, Averbach aims to cover as much ground as possible before finishing the whole trip on August 11. 

“It’s really downhill from here, as far as the walking goes. The challenges were the mountain passes, the weather, and the hills. That’s all behind me now,” he said.

While he is concerned about walking through the Fraser Canyon where the highway is still under reconstruction, his uphill battle lies elsewhere.

“My challenge right now is to raise half a million dollars,” said Averbach.

But before he pushes forward on his last leg, he’s going to take a break after reaching the halfway point. Averbach is planning to do some paperwork for his business, and most importantly, find a way to thank everyone who has donated to his cause.

“I just haven’t had the energy to thank some of these people who donated… I think it’s wonderful that people responded,” he said.

Those interested in supporting the cause can donate to the BC Cancer Foundation website. Readers can also follow Averbach’s journey on his Instagram (@bobswalkforcancer) and the Polarsteps website.