A parade of perseverance in Inglewood for Bethell Hospice 

Anita Schenk has championed the annual Hike for Hospice

By Zachary Roman

A group of elephants can be called a parade, and elephants were Anita Schenk's husband Dave's favourite animal.

Dave Craughwell passed away from stomach cancer in 2018 and every year Schenk and supporters embark on a parade of perseverance in memory of her late husband.

The parade is held as part of Bethell Hospice's annual fundraiser, the Hike for Bethell Hospice.

Before Dave passed away, he spent a week at Bethell Hospice, a no-cost care home in Inglewood that's dedicated to providing its residents dignity and comfort in their care.

Schenk, her daughters, and Dave saw a sign for the hike in the halls of Bethell Hospice while he was staying there, and Schenk decided they'd join and raise some money, despite her never having done that type of thing before.

“I think it was my daughter that came up with the parade name. Dave really liked elephants… so she thought, parade is a group of elephants, so that would be a good way to incorporate that,” said Schenk.  “We came up with parade of perseverance, and perseverance to highlight Dave's fight against stomach cancer, (which) was only five months from the time of diagnosis. And so, we called ourselves parade of perseverance.”

Over 40 people came the first time Schenk registered her “parade of perseverance” team in the hike, and together they raised over $20,000. Each year since, about 20 people have come together to hike, successfully beating Schenk's yearly $5,000 fundraising goal.

Over $35,000 has been raised for Bethell Hospice so far from Schenk's hike team alone. She explained some donations come from Inglewood locals, as Bethell Hospice is right in their backyard, and others come from people donating in memory of Dave. 

“We have a great community support, great friend support. And that really is what drives it every year,” said Schenk.

She said it's a great fundraising event and that it's been great to give back to Bethell Hospice. This year will be Schenk's fifth hike and it's going to be a very special one.

It's being held on what would have been Dave's 57th birthday — May 1, 2022. The Hike for Bethell Hospice will be departing from the Lloyd Wilson Centennial Arena in Inglewood at 9 a.m. that day. Those interested in doing a virtual hike can do so by May 7, when there will be a virtual closing ceremony. Donations to Bethell Hospice for the hike will be accepted until May 31.

In honour of Dave's 57th birthday, Schenk set her sights on raising $5,700 this year and, as of April 12, she was well on her way with $5,377 raised.

“Had this happened the first couple of years, I'm sure it would have been very emotional. I mean, it's always emotional, but I think it's more of a celebration of his memory. That's really what it has become and the fact that it's on his birthday just makes it more special that way,” said Schenk.

It was Dave's choice to go to Bethell Hospice, though he and Schenk had never toured it before. Schenk's parents were actually involved with Bethell Hospice in the past, as they donated flowers for the gardens there.

“I knew Lorna Bethell. As a child growing up, she would visit my mom and dad's perennial business, and she was very intimidating at the time with her little cigarella hanging out of her mouth… (she was an) amazing woman, and she created an amazing facility, but I'd never been,” said Schenk.

When they first went to Bethell Hospice, they saw beautiful windows and beautiful scenery. To Anita and Dave, it felt like they were at their own home.

“It was amazing, you know, I had looked after Dave while he was sick, and I didn't realize how hard that was until the job was taken away from me. And that's what that week at Bethell did, right? It gave us time to spend together as a family,” said Schenk.

Nicole Hand, Executive Director of the Bethell Hospice Foundation, said she's excited to be able to host an in-person hike again. The overarching goal for this year's hike is to raise $225,000, through a combination of hikers fundraising and sponsorships.

As of April 12, 37 teams of hikers had secured 762 donations, raising nearly $92,000.

“We are well on our way,” said Hand.

She's hoping to see over 250 people come out to the hike, as 226 are already registered.

“We'd be thrilled if we could get to that number,” she said. “What makes this event so special is the idea of families coming back together, and to see one another to memorialize their loved ones… there's something really special about just walking together in camaraderie for this cause.”

For more information about the Hike for Bethell Hospice, to donate, or to sign up for the event, visit foundation.bethellhospice.org.