A Cambridge, Ont. teacher has completed a 43-kilometre journey carrying a 25-pound school desk on his back, raising over $20,000 for pediatric oncology at the hospital that helped save his son’s life.
Adam Butter walked from Hespeler to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton on Saturday, taking on the unusual challenge to support families facing childhood cancer.
Butter’s son Wade was diagnosed with cancer and began chemotherapy on his third birthday. He underwent two-and-a-half years of treatment before becoming cancer-free.
“It was a long, tough road,” Butter said. “It was hard on the family, hard on everyone involved.”
The experience motivated Butter to give back to the hospital that cared for his son and help other families going through similar circumstances.
“This is a reminder that we’re thinking about you. You’re strong, you got this and you’ll get through it,” he said. “Life will get back to normal.”
Butter said the idea behind the desk was to represent the everyday experiences of childhood that can be disrupted by a cancer diagnosis.
“I wanted to choose a symbol of normalcy in my everyday life as a teacher and what I believe to be a kid’s everyday life,” he said. “So I chose the desk.”
As of Sunday afternoon, the fundraiser had collected $20,005 - nearly double its original $10,000 goal. Butter later increased the target to $15,000.
All proceeds are dedicated to pediatric oncology at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Throughout Saturday’s walk, Butter’s elementary school students joined him for portions of the route, while friend Martin Breton followed him in a vehicle for the entire journey. Community members also showed their support along the way.
“It’s amazing. It’s awesome. I like that he’s doing this for our community, and he’s raising so much money for cancer treatment and I just think that he’s such a good person,” one student told CTV News.
“I think he’s a great role model for kids,” another student said. “If [a student] ever wants to do something amazing like him one day, they can. They can have the courage because they know someone else did it.”
Butter described the challenge as the hardest physical undertaking of his life, but said the effort was put into perspective by what families experience while their children are receiving cancer treatment.
“My mindset is positive,” he said during the walk. “I know that the burden I’m metaphorically carrying right now is nowhere near the burden that these families are carrying while their children are in the hospital fighting cancer.”
He also had a message for families navigating a child’s cancer diagnosis, encouraging them to seek support and reminding them they are not alone.
“Lean on us for help, and we’ll carry you as far as we can,” he said.
For Butter, the challenge was about more than carrying a desk to the hospital - it was about helping make the road a little easier for the next family.
“You’re not an island. We’re thinking about you. You’re strong. You can do this,” he said.
