How far would you go for someone you love?

The following videos require Windows Media Player. Click here if you do not have Windows Media Player.

Click here to view our new 30 second Video by John Davidson

Click here to view a 30 second Video by Jesse Davidson

Click here to view a 60 second Video by Jesse Davidson

Click here to view a 4 ½ minute Video by Jesse Davidson

That's the question that led to the birth of Jesse's Journey when one family dared to dream about what's possible after learning the crushing news that Duchenne muscular dystrophy had become a part of their daily lives.

When John and Sherene Davidson learned that their middle son Jesse was diagnosed with Duchenne they charted a life changing course for themselves-setting out to raise research funds to find the elusive cure.

The story of Jesse's Journey began to unfold in the summer of 1995 when John Davidson- at the age of 49-set out on an incredible mission to push his 15 year old son Jesse across Ontario in his wheelchair-a trek of 3339 kilometres. The journey became a rallying point for people in communities across Ontario and across Canada . This grueling test of endurance for a determined father and son generated $1.5 million dollars for research.

Three years later there was another chapter in the amazing story. In 1998 John Davidson found himself on the road again-this time alone. On his son Jesse's 18 th birthday John dipped his running shoes in the Atlantic Ocean at St. John's Newfoundland . 286 days later he dipped those same running shoes in the Pacific at Beacon Hill Park in Victoria . The 8300 kilometre journey across Canada generated $2 million dollars in grassroots donations made by Canadians coast to coast. From their humble beginning the Davidson's managed to bring the Jesse Davidson Endowment on stream. The means was at hand to begin funding research each and every year.

In 2000-2001 John Davidson wrote A Canadian Story. This book was written from journals kept during both walks. The story makes a bold statement. It is an inspiring and captivating story about how an ordinary man and his son accomplished something extraordinary. On every page you will feel the heart of Canada and its people.

“My fondest hope is that you will enjoy and want to share our story with someone you love. I hope you enjoy Chapter One .”

~ John Davidson

After completing the journey across Canada John Davidson met a remarkable woman-Helen McMillan of St. Thomas- and another chapter of the story began. This father of three boys and a woman who never had children of her own became good friends. Helen McMillan was someone who knew the value of research and she had also asked herself the same question: “How far would you go for someone you love?” Helen McMillan died in 2003 at the age of 91. To honour her father-someone she loved, admired and respected-Helen left an amazing gift of $3 million dollars to Jesse's Journey. This extraordinary act of kindness-will benefit generations of children in the future. Her remarkable understanding of the benefits of research-reflects the measure of a woman whose gift to science will live on through the Helen McMillan-Jesses Davidson research laboratory at the Lawson Health Research Institute.