We’re incredibly grateful to Jim and Sheila for signing up to fundraise through You Can for Cancer in support of Cancer Society Nelson Tasman. Later this year, they’ll be walking the 800km Camino Frances across Spain, an extraordinary journey with an even more meaningful purpose. As Jim prepares to take on this pilgrimage at 75, he’s doing so not only to mark a milestone anniversary with his wife Sheila, but to give back to the Cancer Society, whose support he leaned on during his own cancer treatment.
Below, Jim shares his powerful story, one of survival, gratitude, and purpose, and the “why” behind their walk. If you feel inspired by their journey, you can support their efforts via their fundraising page > click here
We wish Jim and Sheila all the best as they take on the Camino, step by step, with hope and heart.
Journey of Hope: Walking the Camino Frances
At the beginning of this year, my wife Sheila (70) and I (75) decided to walk the Camino Frances in Spain.
At 75 years old, every sunrise is a gift and each step is a testament to resilience. As a cancer survivor, I know intimately how precious life is, and how every moment—no matter how ordinary—can become extraordinary in the face of adversity. It’s from this wellspring of gratitude and hope that we are preparing to walk the Camino Frances, not only as a personal pilgrimage but as a journey to raise funds and awareness for the Cancer Society.
Surviving cancer is not the end of a story; rather, it is the beginning of a new chapter. My own diagnosis and treatment were transformative—filled with moments of fear and hope, pain and gratitude, and uncertainty. The support I received from the Cancer Society was invaluable, offering not just practical help, but also compassion, resources, and a sense of community when I needed it most. The greatest gift was the secure and comfortable accommodation made available to me in Wellington during the four weeks I spent there for radiotherapy.
Now, as I approach my 76th year, I feel compelled to give back to the organization that supported me and countless others through some of life’s darkest times. Walking the Camino Frances—a journey of nearly 800 kilometres across northern Spain—is my way of celebrating survival, while honouring the struggle of those still fighting.
The Camino Frances is one of the world’s great pilgrimages, winding through rolling hills, medieval villages, and ancient cities from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. For centuries, pilgrims have walked this path seeking solace, guidance, and transformation. For me, undertaking this journey at 75 is both a physical challenge and a spiritual odyssey.
Each step along the Camino is a reminder of the many steps I—and so many others—have taken through the landscape of cancer: doctor’s appointments, treatments, recovery, and the ongoing journey of survivorship. By walking the Camino, I hope to show that, even after cancer, life can be rich with adventure and purpose. Age and illness may change our bodies, but they need not diminish our spirit.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Camino is the sense of community that develops among pilgrims from all over the world. Strangers become friends, stories are shared, and burdens are lightened. In the same way, the Cancer Society brings people together—uniting survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, and supporters in a shared mission.
By linking this pilgrim’s walk to fundraising for the Cancer Society, I am weaving my personal journey into a broader tapestry of hope, healing, and generosity. I invite others to walk alongside me—if not in person, then in spirit and in support. Each donation is a step taken together, a stride further along the path toward a world where no one faces cancer alone.
The Cancer Society plays a crucial role in supporting people affected by cancer. Their services—ranging from counselling and accommodation to research and advocacy—make a very real difference in the lives of patients and families. Unfortunately, the need is great, and resources are always stretched.
By raising money during my Camino walk, I want to support the Cancer Society in continuing its essential work. The funds will provide practical support for those undergoing treatment, enable research into better prevention and cures, and foster education and early detection initiatives that save lives. Every donation, no matter how small, has the power to offer hope and comfort to someone facing cancer.
As we grow older, we reflect more on the legacy we leave behind. For me, walking the Camino Frances at 75 is both a challenge and a celebration—a way to demonstrate that age is not a barrier to making a difference. By taking this opportunity to raise funds for the Cancer Society, I am paying forward the kindness and care I received, and helping to ensure that future generations will have access to the same support.
This journey is also a tribute to those who have walked with me—family, friends, medical staff, and fellow survivors—each of whom played a role in my recovery and my life. My hope is that this walk will inspire others, young and old, to support the Cancer Society in whatever way they can.
In the end, the Camino Frances is more than just a physical route; it is a metaphor for life’s journey, with all its hardships and joys. As a 75-year-old cancer survivor, I walk to celebrate life, to honour those who have fought and those who continue to fight, and to raise vital funds for an organization that offers hope when hope is needed most.
I invite you to join me—through your encouragement, your generosity, and your belief that together, we can make a difference. Every step I take is for those who cannot, and every dollar raised is helps those that are suffering.
I look forward eagerly to that first step as we start our walk in Saint Jean Pied de Port, on Saturday 13 September with my greatest supporter and finest life companion by my side; and then the final walk into the Cathedral square six weeks later, coinciding with our 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday 25 October.
Thank you.
