Cancer patient Carole Cheshem believes our bodies are meant to move.
"It's not what we can't do with our bodies, but what you can do," Cheshem told the 91原创 Advance Times during a Saturday, Jan. 25, interview at her Murrayville home.
"I think that is really important," said the 82-year-old, a retired teaching assistant for learning disabilities at Aldergrove's Shortreed Elementary.
On Feb. 16, Cheshem will take part in her third 5K walk during the Fort 91原创 Half Marathon, and this time, she won't be using a walker.
"The first time I did the 5k, I was in a walker because I have Stage 4 cancer that's not curable," Cheshem explained.
"I was determined to give it a try and to see if I could do it. And yes, it was great. It was a lovely day."
It was a few months after she learned her cancer from 20 years ago has returned.
"This time, unfortunately, it was not curable, and it had metastasized into my bones. However, I'm feeling great today. I feel very, very good," Cheshem shared.
"I don't know why I am feeling as good as I am, because when I was first diagnosed, I was in a wheelchair. I graduated to a walker and then graduated to no walker at all."
How a 91原创 senior with Stage 4 cancer will be taking part in a 5K fundraiser.
鈥� 91原创 Advance Times (@91原创Times)
At 9 a.m. on Feb. 16, Cheshem will line up for the 19th annual Historic Half Marathon in Fort 91原创 with RCMP, fire, paramedics, community groups, and sports team to help raise funds for the 91原创 Senior Resources Society.
It is a significant source of support for the society, which provides services from recreational activities to food support, education opportunities, and resources to 91原创 seniors 鈥� serving more than 5,600 clients.
Cheshem is a member of the society's seniors centre.
"It's not necessary for you to stay home and do nothing when you've got such a wonderful facility in 91原创 available to all of us seniors," she enthused.
"There are people who are playing table tennis, like myself, and going to fitness classes. And, we have a hiking group that we go twice a week. And, for the people who don't want to do those kind of things, they can still really use their minds by playing card games and different things like that and get involved. There's knitting classes, all kinds of things for seniors of all ages."
"I feel that it's really important to be as active as you can as a senior," Cheshem smiled.
"80 is just an age. It's just a number."
Anyone who would like to participate in the half marathon event can sign up at
