A Tragically Hip fan who battled the same form of brain cancer as Gord Downie has died weeks after seeing one of the band’s farewell performances.
Joanne Schiewe was diagnosed with glioblastoma in February 2015, the same type of terminal brain cancer that Downie is fighting.
Schiewe’s partner Jared Spier confirmed the news on his Facebook page late Monday night.
“After five straight days of the hardest fight, that only a true champion's heart could muster, Jo finally left us,” the post read.
“She was surrounded by incredible love, but as Jo inspired such beauty (and ridiculousness) in those around her, that seemed to always be the case.”
ABOVE: Joanne Schiewe on the right and her partner Jared Spier on the left.
Schiewe saw the Tragically Hip perform at their Aug. 5 performance at the MTS Centre. She couldn’t get a ticket at first but once news spread of her dilemma, offers poured in from across the country. A friend eventually provided her with a ticket to see one of the band’s farewell performances.
Shiewe underwent two brain surgeries, 30 rounds of radiation, and 12 cycles of chemotherapy. As a tri-athlete, Schiewe raised thousands of dollars for brain cancer research through a variety of fundraisers.
“Joanne was a very special and very beautiful person,” said Michael Bennett, who volunteered with Schiewe at Ted's Run for Literacy.
Tuesday evening friends and supporters from Manitoba’s running community ran a five kilometer race to honour and remember Schiewe in Assinboine Park.
“She was my hero before she was ever diagnosed with brain cancer,” said friend, Ace Burpee, who also helped come up with the idea to organize the race. “She just gives off this vibe that wants to make you work harder and so it seemed like the right fit,” he said.
Organizers said about 250 people attended the event
“The last time this was done was after the Boston Marathon for runners,” Bennett said. “Runners feel that same sense of urgency to support.”
Bennett started the ‘Jo’ Button fundraising campaign after Schiewe’s health took a turn for the worst.
He said he sold 500 buttons in the first week, and brought another batch of 500 to the pond Tuesday evening. Proceeds from the buttons are being donated to brain cancer research.
“To date Jo has raised well over $80,000 for brain cancer research in Manitoba. She is an Ironman, a marathoner, a triathlete, a Manitoba Runners' Association Hall of Fame inductee and a five-year board member for Ted's Run for Literacy. She is all that and so much more,” read a statement on Bennett’s website on Aug. 12 about the campaign.
