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A Man on a Mission

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, 99-year-old Newmarket resident and Southlake patient, George Markow was determined to do something that would give back in support of the response. He set a personal mission to walk 100 kilometres, following a path that circles the courtyard gardens of his retirement home, where 15 laps equals 1 km. That’s a total of 1,500 laps!

But George is doing more than just walking – he’s launched a GoFundMe page to collect donations, aiming to raise $100,000 to support the response to COVID-19. Funds raised will be shared between Southlake Regional Health Centre – George’s local hospital – in support of the COVID-19 Action Fund, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

As his family’s hospital, George has a strong connection to Southlake. His grandchildren were born at Southlake, and his wife spent her final years in the Southlake Village long-term care facility. George himself underwent cancer treatment at Southlake’s Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, and on Christmas eve at the age of 95, was diagnosed at Southlake with a serious brain bleed after a bad fall. He underwent initial surgery at Sunnybrook, but continues to walk from his home at Roxborough Retirement Residence across the street to Southlake for regular CT Scans and follow up appointments.

“They know him on a first-name basis,” said George’s daughter, Sylvia, who has helped carry out George’s plans for this fundraiser. “He’s always treated with dignity and respect, and he has nothing but high praise for all the care and compassion and empathy that everybody at Southlake has shown – both to him and my mum. He just feels so well taken care of that he wanted to do something to give back.

He’s always treated with dignity and respect, and he has nothing but high praise for all the care and compassion and empathy that everybody at Southlake has shown – both to him and my mum. He just feels so well taken care of that he wanted to do something to give back.

Sylvia, George’s Daughter

George is thrilled with the response to his fundraiser, and so far has raised more than $32,000 towards his goal. He never expected that his efforts would be such an inspiration to others – perhaps none more than his own daughter.

“I am beyond proud, and just overwhelmed at his perseverance, determination, and drive,” said Sylvia. “I’m just beaming with pride, he’s my hero in every sense of the word. Not just what he’s doing now, but what he’s done through his entire life. I’m so blessed to have him as my dad. He’s just too special for words.”

George has already completed 83 km of his 100 km goal – though he says he will continue to walk as long as he is raising funds. His mantra is simple:

You just have to keep putting one foot forward.

To follow George’s progress or to support his fundraiser, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/99-yr-old-walking-100-km-for-medical-research.