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Hamilton Spectator

‘I totally believe in this': Annual Rankin Cancer Run draws thousands to Brock University

For Kim Sackfie the annual Rankin Cancer Run is much more than a community event. 'I am a 12-year breast cancer survivor,' said the St. Catharines resident and day-one Rankin run participant who was among hundreds of cancer patients and survivors wearing orange T-shirts at the 18th annual event held on Saturday and for the first time at Brock University. Breast cancer survivor Kim Sackfie was among some 3,000 participants in Saturday's Rankin Cancer Run at Brock University. 'I totally believe in this charity because it raises money for Niagara and all the money stays here.' Sackfie was part of the Tumor-Nators team that was running in memory of her niece, Laura Jean Smith, who died from brain cancer in 2012. Participants had a choice of running or walking a five-kilometre or one-kilometre route around the university grounds under a mostly cloudy sky with a cool breeze. 'Without events like this, the research and the funding would not be available as greatly as it is and it also brings everyone together and gives you a bit of hope,' said Eve McArdle, who will be having surgery for thyroid cancer next month. 'I'm pretty proud to be walking this today.' Cancer patient Eve McArdle took part in her first Rankin Cancer Run at Brock University on Saturday. The St. Catharines resident noted this was her first time taking part in the event as a member of the StoneRidge Insurance Performers squad. Run director Mary Ann Edwards said as many as 3,000 people took part in the event and about 7,000 did their own walk/run off site. 'A ton of schoolchildren have already done it at their own schools where they get 100 per cent participation,' Edwards said. Youngsters took part in a children's mini sprint at the annual Rankin Cancer Run at Brock University on Saturday. While the event has raised $12.6 million for cancer research and support programs at Niagara hospitals and other local organizations since it began at the Grantham Lions Park in St. Catharines — it returned in 2022 with an 'any time, anywhere' format after a two-year COVID pandemic pause — Edwards was unable to yet say how much Saturday's event garnered as pledges are expected to keep rolling in for several months. 'This is going to keep going until the end of the year when I do my distribution (of the funds raise) in December,' Edwards said.