100 KM Team Relay Marathon Raises Funds to #EndKidsCancer
CALGARY, Aug. 19, 2015 /CNW/ - The Sears Great Canadian Run travels back to Alberta for a second year, and participants will once again embark on a 100 km team relay marathon in support of the fight against childhood cancer. On Saturday, August 22, runners will depart from RockPointe Church Bearspaw and make their way to Camp Kindle. Proceeds raised from The Run will be collected by the Sears Canada Charitable Foundation and allocated to various pediatric oncology charities in Alberta, including Kids Cancer Care Foundation, which runs Camp Kindle, Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation and Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation.
"The Sears Great Canadian Run supports a fundraising initiative that holds great meaning to Albertans," said Vincent Power, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and Communications, Sears Canada. "For the second year in a row we have a huge outpouring of support from our Alberta Sears team members and this year we will have 5 Sears teams from different regions across the province who have been training and fundraising, and they are looking forward to once again participating in The Relay to End Kids Cancer. The Sears teams will run in conjunction with teams made up of Albertans from across the province who want to help eradicate the phrase 'Your child has cancer'. "
Each Run team, comprised of up to 20 people, will create an individual strategy to best manage the 100-kilometre course. Each section of the course will start and finish at an exchange point where runners can refuel with snacks and refreshments as they 'pass the baton' to the next teammate. A post-run celebration will be held near the finish line at Camp Kindle to celebrate team successes and a journey well run.
"This event means a great deal for our family as our son Colby was diagnosed with cancer last February", said Stacey Kucharuk, Team Captain of "Because of You" and mother of Colby Kucharuk. "The journey for Colby and our family has been long and emotional, but watching a 2-year-old fight this battle has also been the most inspiring thing we've witnessed. We chose the team name "Because of You" because we are running not just for Colby, but for all those that have impacted his journey over the past 18 months - family, friends, nurses, doctors, survivors and those we have lost."
"Childhood cancer is a long, lonely journey for these kids. Getting them out to camp with other kids, in the fresh air and sunshine, is so important to their physical and emotional well-being. It's where these kids learn they are not alone", said Christine McIver, Founder and CEO of Kids Cancer Care. "Seeing individuals devote their Saturday to literally run the road to Camp Kindle, supporting kids' cancer, is truly inspiring to see. I can't thank them enough."
To date, the Sears Great Canadian Run, with events in Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa, has raised over $2.5 million since 2011 for childhood cancer treatment and research.
The Run will challenge you physically, touch you emotionally and inspire you long after the day has come to a close.
Participants can log on to www.TheRun.ca or call 1-855-70-WE-RUN (9-3786) to register. Personalized profiles will be created, complete with fundraising tools and helpful hints for teams to reach fundraising goals. Friends and families are encouraged to gather along the route to cheer on participants. Team sponsorship and general donations can be made at www.TheRun.ca.
About the Sears Canada Charitable Foundation
The Sears Canada Charitable Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that collects and distributes donations to charitable organizations that support Sears Canada's community investment mandate, which is focused on the healthy development of children and youth in areas of both health and education. The health component is centered on raising awareness and providing funds for research and treatment for the fight against childhood cancer. The education component is centered on after-school programs and initiatives, which enrich children's lives and allow them to reach their full potential as contributing members of society.
About Sears Canada
Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network that includes 167 corporate stores, 197 hometown dealer stores, over 1,300 catalogue and online merchandise pick-up locations, 85 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide repair and service network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca
SOURCE Sears Canada Inc.
Image with caption: "Participants run through the foothills of the Rockies during the 100 km team relay marathon. (CNW Group/Sears Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150819_C7321_PHOTO_EN_480152.jpg
Contact for Media: Heather Kelly, Sears Great Canadian Run, 416-888-5745, [email protected]
Share this article