A journey of healing, hope and fundraising is now complete for a Tsawwassen woman.
Dawn Repin set out on Sept. 20 from Sarria, Spain and walked the six-day, 114 km final leg of the Camino Trail to the Cathedral in Santiago without blisters, aches or pains. The walk was in remembrance of her husband Peter who died in October 2015, five years after being diagnosed with Idiopathetic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
The journey was a chance for Repin to reflect on her life with Peter and to help raise awareness and funds for the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF).
She said she is thrilled by how the journey went.
"When we started the first day we had to climb a large stairway right at the start and I thought, well this could be interesting, but we did it. It was a very humbling experience," recalled Repin.
Along the way, she found a special spot along the path to place a memorial stone for Peter.
Peter worked in the planning department at the Corporation of Delta from 1972 until retirement in 1999. He was a wellknown, active member of the community coaching hockey and baseball in the 1980's. He was also a participant in the Little House Society appreciating and promoting the help it provided him and the community.
"The countryside, company of other women with life stories to share, the encouragement from family and friends and the financial support for CPFF were inspiring and humbling," said Repin. "The walk certainly served its purpose to raise awareness of the disease and to also remember Peter. It was healing for me in so many ways."
CPFF provides funds for research into causes and treatments. Presently, a lung transplant is the only option for people who qualify. Two drugs developed in the last eight years can prolong life expectancy by 30 per cent.
People have varying tolerance to them.
The Foundation also provides support and education to patients and their caregivers. See more at: www.cpff.ca.
"I know that I have personally collected more than $1,700, but I have no idea how much was collected directly through the website. I thank everyone for their support and for helping to raise the awareness," she said.
