Teen walks the walk because he's been there

ON TRACK: Logan Jamieson, Clive, joined CanTeen after being diagnosed with mylodysplasia in 2010. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

Logan Jamieson knows the feeling of pushing through pain, something which will stand him in good stead during Sunday's Mitre 10 Megawalk.
The 15-year-old has volunteered behind the scenes for two years, but is lacing up his shoes this time around to support CanTeen, an organisation which helps young people battling cancer.
After complaining of pain and aching in his joints Logan was diagnosed with mylodysplasia in 2010, the following year he underwent a bone marrow transplant.
He spent 56 days in isolation, only returning home to family in Clive after a further two and a half weeks at Ronald McDonald House.
It was then Logan became involved with CanTeen Hawke's Bay, where close connections were formed with other members while on his journey to recovery.
"It's good and you can speak to people who actually know what you are talking about, I have made life-long friends. They are all good people," he says.
He's been in the clear for about a year now, but still sits on a committee which selects monthly activities for all members, from movies to white water rafting and camps. "Some of it's fun but all of it is rewarding."
The Megawalk, which takes place over four distance courses, is in its seventh year and raises much-needed funding for CanTeen's local branch.
One day out, registrations were looking promising with 800 people already signed up, Mitre 10 Mega marketing manager Kerry Meehan said.
"We have still got the two-day rush to come when we typically get quite a few. We had 1200 last year, so it would be really nice to grow it to 1500, there's a lot of first-timers doing it."
Online registrations will be open until noon tomorrow but there would also be a last-minute chance to take part on the day.
About $16,000 raised last year was used for general funding as well as CanTeen's monthly activities, with organisers aiming to make $20,000 on Sunday.
The Hawke's Bay branch had a growing list of members, young people who were undergoing treatment and fighting cancer, as well as their supportive siblings.
CanTeen's Kerrie Waby said they drew strength from seeing the support they got from the community in events such as the walk, which was designed to suit young, old, and in-between.
At this stage the weather seemed promising, with a MetService forecast for Sunday, showing 19C with sunshine.
People can enter a 28km Mega walk/run from Hastings to Napier; 15km HB Today Half Mega from Awatoto; a 6.5km Shoe Clinic Short Mega starting at Ocean Spa or the 3.5km MoreFM Mega Meander taking off from Perfume Point, Ahuriri. To register see: megawalk.co.nz