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Walking with a Purpose: Gary Smith's continuing Legacy
For over a decade, the annual Gary’s Walk has made a profound impact on Royal Columbian Hospital, honouring the legacy of an esteemed athlete and educator while significantly advancing medical care. Since its inception in 2010, the walk has raised substantial funds for critical equipment, including gastroscopes and the cutting-edge Olympus ESG300 system, which has enhanced the hospital’s ability to diagnose and treat esophageal conditions. The continued generosity of Gary’s Walk supporters underscores the deep connection between the community and Royal Columbian, fostering improvements in patient care and medical innovation.
Gary Smith was more than just a remarkable athlete and gold-medal-winning basketball player; he was a beloved high school coach and principal who had an extraordinary ability to connect with people on a personal level. This gift for making others feel like close friends is one of the reasons his family started the annual Gary's Walk in April of 2010.
“He was like a best friend because of how he related to those around him,” says Nicky Smith, retired teacher and Gary's wife.
“He gives 150%…he was never negative. He was just a positive guy. The excitement he had for helping people around him influenced his players and students,” adds Shawna Smith, Gary’s daughter and a high school teacher.
Through the support of Gary’s Walk, Royal Columbian Hospital has been able to acquire essential medical equipment that directly enhances patient care. In 2021, the hospital purchased an Olympus ESG300, a state-of-the-art electrosurgical system designed specifically for gastrointestinal and pulmonary procedures. This advanced device, made possible by donations to the Gary Smith Esophageal Fund, empowers physicians with the precision and versatility needed for complex therapeutic interventions, including those requiring argon plasma coagulation (APC).
“It blew my mind seeing how advanced our medical equipment is, and being able to contribute to that makes me very thankful,” says Shawna.
The Smith family, deeply rooted in a tradition of education, is committed to using the annual walking event as a platform to raise awareness about esophageal cancer, a cause close to the family’s heart. Gary, who passed away in 2007 after a courageous battle with the cancer, dedicated his life to educating and mentoring others. Nicky and Shawna believe that Gary would have wanted to inform and protect the community from this disease, and their hope is that the walk will not only honour his memory but also contribute to the prevention and early detection of esophageal cancer.
“We’re all about education. So we wanted to prevent this from happening to someone else by educating people about the symptoms and fundraising for equipment to help with prevention,” says Nicky.
To date, the Gary Smith Esophageal Fund has raised over $149,000, a testament to the enduring impact of Gary’s life and the walk that bears his name. Nicky and Shawna express their deep gratitude to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation for enabling them to hold this fundraiser and make a significant difference in the lives of RCH patients.
For more information on Gary’s Walk, please visit: https://garyswalk.ca/