Welcome to MEMC Crew (Make Every Moment Count)!

We are a group of walkers and runners raising awareness of pancreatic cancer, inspiring hope for survivors, and raising money for pancreatic cancer (PC) research at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH).

Most of us will be training for one of the events (2k, 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathon, marathon) at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend (TORW) on May 23 and 24, 2026.

This team was created by the late Sindy Hooper-she will always be the captain of the MEMC crew. Since its inception, the team has raised $601,993. The majority of funds came thanks to Sindy’s dedication, drive, and determination to have an impact on this disease.

Sindy was a very fit, active mother of two when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2013. She had no risk factors and no family history of cancer — to say this was a shock would be a huge understatement.

Pancreatic cancer statistics are truly horrible, with an average survival of 6 months and a 5-year survival rate of only 10%. Although pancreatic cancer has one of the highest mortality rates of all cancers, it lags far behind in funding. Shocked by these statistics, Sindy became active in raising awareness about PC and generating funding for pancreatic cancer research.

Sindy passed away in 2024 after years of numerous surgeries, radiation treatments, and chemotherapy. She was fortunate to receive most of these sophisticated treatments at The Ottawa Hospital.

But Sindy’s story is not about her treatments, or how long she lived with cancer, it’s about HOW she lived.

Sindy lived each day with gratitude and did her best to truly make every moment count.

Sindy used her love of running and triathlons as a platform to spread her message (she even did an Ironman while on chemotherapy!) She encouraged and coached many newcomers to the running and triathlon world. She continued to compete in running and triathlon, including travelling to several world championships and running the Boston Marathon.

And always with a smile.

Her love for life, her enthusiasm, her willingness to share herself with the world, and her MEMC attitude brought hope to many, as well as raising much-needed research funds.

We are asking for your help to take a moment and give from your heart to help find better treatments for pancreatic cancer (which would also extend to other cancers), and to give people hope of surviving this devastating cancer. Every dollar that you give ensures that researchers at The Ottawa Hospital can continue working to improve outcomes for cancer patients like Sindy.

If you'd like to join our team or donate, please find the links below (just off to the right).

If you'd like to read more about Sindy's story or donate directly to her fundraising page, you can find that link at the bottom right under "donate".

We are asking for your help to take a moment and give from your heart. Every dollar that you give ensures that researchers at The Ottawa Hospital can continue working to improve outcomes for cancer patients like Sindy.

Each year, our team comes together to keep Sindy’s message and dream going — that’s what she wanted.

If you'd like to join our team or donate, please find the links below (just off to the right).

Make Every Moment Count!

The MEMC Crew