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#TPIWalktoberChallenge: PAX checks in with TPI's Corry Ticknor
It's the final week of Travel Professionals International's (TPI) Walktober Challenge and participants are walking virtually along Canada’s Trans Canada Trail in support of the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.
READ MORE: TPI launches Walktober Challenge in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Each day, the TPI family completes a set number of steps, which moves them along a pre-set map that starts in Victoria, BC, and ends in St. John’s, NL.
The group has been participating in fun activities throughout the month, which you can see on social media by clicking the hashtag #TPIWalktoberChallenge.
Here, PAX checks in with TPI advisor Corry Ticknor of Orillia, ON, to learn more about her participation, and progress, in the challenge!
PAX: Why was it important for you to get involved in TPI’s Walktober Challenge in support of the Breast Cancer Society of Canada?
Corry Ticknor (CT): In the past I have been a big supporter of and participant in my local Rotary’s Bras for a Cause each October, and since that did not happen this year, supporting this campaign was the next best thing. I am grateful to TPI to head this up and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Thankfully, I have not lost anyone to breast cancer, although I have lost many I've loved due to one form of cancer or another, including my Dad five years ago this October. Regardless of the type of cancer, I feel we all need to be supporting one another in any way we can.
PAX: Where are you getting your steps in?
CT: Most of my steps are from walking the local trails close to my home in the afternoon with Tudhope Park being the main one. I absolutely love walking along the lakeside and with the beautiful fall colours, crisp air and quietness it has actually become quite therapeutic. I think I will be keeping this up.
PAX: What are some goals you hope to achieve throughout this campaign?
CT: My goals for this challenge are breast cancer awareness. We all (men and women) need to be taking care of ourselves and implementing monthly breast checks as it is vital to ensure we do not become one of the statistics. Another goal is staying connected with everyone through social media channels and sharing this campaign and our beautiful country coast to coast. I believe we often forget that while we are dreaming of far off distant places to travel that we have a very scenic stunning country right here to see and discover.
PAX: How have you gotten your clients involved?
CT: Although no clients signed up for the challenge, I’ve been engaging with them mostly on social media, keeping them up to date with regular posts and videos each night as I track in my stories in each destination and total steps, which is also keeping me accountable.
PAX: Travel and fundraising are two things that go really well together. Why do you think this is?
CT: We have such a great industry that touches everyone across the globe. Fundraising efforts and campaigns such as the #TPIWalktoberChallenge connects us with our clients and our community and shows our true, humble humanity. We are not just all about travel and making the sale. We want to connect, give hope and make a difference whether that is right here at home or abroad. We all need to work together for a greater good.
PAX: What have you learned about yourself, and the travel industry, during this campaign?
CT: That walking shoes are a whole lot more comfortable than heels. Seriously, I have learned that we cannot give up that we need a healthy perspective and perseverance, especially now more than ever. These are certainly challenging times, but I will never back down from a challenge. I am forever grateful to my TPI family who have showed up, backed up and have just been there time and time again these past eight months. Our industry and this campaign are quite similar in that we just need to keep moving forward one step at a time.
To make a donation to the #TPIWalktoberChallenge, click here.
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