Samm Simon raises more than $33K during fundraising run for regional cancer programs

Samm Simon is grateful for the support from a variety of people during his Epic Run fundraiser for regional cancer treatment and support programs.

Simon left Stratford on May 11 to run 251 KM to Tobermory, with his close friends accompanying him in an RV. He ran for what he said was “basically a marathon a day for seven days” and lots of family, friends, and strangers were cheering him on.

He and his team received coffee and treats on the way and school children got outside to cheer as he ran. Places let the team park the RV at no cost to them and they received permission to stay on Sacred Land once reaching the Bruce Penninsula. Campout RV also donated the RV used on the trip.

"From the bottom of my family's heart, my wife and myself, we just really want to thank everyone," Simon said.

After his wife was diagnosed with cancer for the third time, this time terminal, Simon began fundraising via GoFundMe leading up to the run. The fundraiser has well surpassed the initial $4,500 goal and as of May 19, more than $33,000 has been raised. Proceeds will support Wellspring Stratford Cancer Centre, Stratford General Hospital’s Emergency Room, and London Health Sciences Centre’s Cancer program.

“These three organizations were all her choice because that's who she deals with and it's just blowing us away and money’s still just slowly trickling in,” Simon said.

Now that he’s completed the run, Simon’s resting up his body during recovery.

"What I went through was nothing compared to what people with cancer go through,” he said.

As Simon was on his journey, Wellspring Stratford and the Stratford General Hospital Foundation cheered him on.

"It's just fantastic when our community does such an initiative like this and for Samm to put his heart into such a fundraiser, it's been a blessing for us to help lift him up and help him with his journey,” said Cheryl Hunt, executive director of the Stratford General Hospital Foundation.

A Cancer and Medical Care Clinic opened in Stratford in 2025, but many patients still travel to London for appointments and will go to Stratford General Hospital’s Emergency Room in-between appointments during the difficult days.

“We will be working with Samm and looking at our emerg department and seeing how we can help a patient's journey be a little more less stressful and making sure that the staff members have the tools they need to provide care,” Hunt said.

Wellspring Stratford provides an array of programs like peer support yoga, reiki, therapeutic touch, swimming at the YMCA, arts and crafts workshops that are free for the members. The programs and support provide glimmers of joy for those battling cancer, their families, and cancer survivors.

"It's tiny little bits of joy that make their days better and they also get to meet lots of volunteers and lots of other members and they make friendships that last lifetimes,” said Ange McNee, Wellspring volunteer.

McNee is also supporting Simon on his run and his wife battling cancer for the third time.

"I think anybody who takes on those challenges is just remarkable,” she said.

Donations can be made online to the GoFundMe page via https://www.gofundme.com/f/2mspu-charity-run. More information about Simon’s journey can be found online by visiting https://sammsimon.ca, TikTok (@sammsimon1968), Facebook (@samm.siomon) and Instagram (@samm.simon).