London, Ont. — A Stratford man is preparing to run 251 km to raise funds for local hospitals in honour of his wife, who is living with terminal cancer. Beginning May 11, 2026, Samm Simon will leave from his front door in Stratford and embark on a weeklong run to the Tobermory pier.
“I’ve never even run a 5K before this,” said Samm, who admits he is not a seasoned runner. “Watching my wife every day — she is so strong — we started talking about how we could give back and turn this into something positive. That’s when I came up with this idea.”
Samm will run the equivalent of a marathon each day, spending approximately eight to ten hours on the road over seven to eight days.
All funds raised will be distributed three-ways equally to London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF), supporting care at London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, as well as Stratford General Hospital’s emergency department and Wellspring Stratford Cancer Support Centre.
“People with cancer didn’t choose this,” said Samm. “That’s what motivates me to take on this marathon — to support others facing something no one should have to go through.”
During the run, three of Samm’s friends will travel alongside him in an RV, providing support and sharing updates along the route on his website. Though his wife is unable to join him on his route through the Bruce Peninsula—a place that is meaningful to them both—she will be cheering him on from home.
“What Samm is doing is extraordinary,” said Elliott Archer, Director, Cancer Centre at LHSC. “Not just the distance he’s running, but the purpose behind it. Like the fight patients at the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre face every day, his journey reflects strength and determination, and it will have a meaningful impact on patients and families across our region.”
In the months leading up to the run, Samm launched a GoFundMe with an initial goal of $4,500. The fundraiser has since surpassed $15,000. Every dollar will be divided equally among the three centres, supporting cancer patients and emergency services.
“Samm’s dedication is remarkable, and it will have a direct impact on patients and families receiving care at the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre,” said John H. MacFarlane, president & CEO of LHSF. “Donor support is essential to everything we do—from funding innovative equipment to improving the patient experience—and efforts like this help ensure people facing cancer in our region can access the care and support they need, close to home.”
To follow along on Samm's journey, please visit his website HERE.
For interview requests, please contact:
Jenn Basa
Communications Officer, Media and Internal Communications
London Health Sciences Foundation
Jennifer.Basa@lhsc.on.ca
647.409.8903