Latest news with #cancerfundraiser
CBC
11-08-2025
- Sport
- CBC
This Indigenous ultra-runner is running a marathon a day for seven days in memory of his father
A 28-year-old Tahltan-Tsimshian ultra-runner is running a marathon a day — for seven days straight. Noah Allison is running the third annual Miles for Markus campaign in memory of his father Markus, who died of bladder cancer in September 2023. Allison will be running about 300 kilometres this week from Prince Rupert to Terrace and back to raise funds for the B.C. Cancer Foundation's patient relief fund. With the support of a road crew and fellow runners who will join him on the way, Allison said the community around the event has grown every year. "Everyone I know has been touched by cancer in some way, so I know it's a really important issue to raise money for," he said. On his runs, Allison sometimes wears a Terry Fox basketball jersey. "I wear it with my cedar hat. They say it's my Indigenous Forrest Gump outfit," Allison said with a laugh. "So I'll say, hey, I'm Forrest Gump's Indigenous cousin, Cedar Gump." Allison's journey started Saturday and will run till Friday. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. How did your running journey start? I started my running journey as a way of supporting my best friend Britt. She started training for the New York Marathon. I wasn't in love with it until, unfortunately, I was in Prince George with my father and I could see the end was near. It became my daily escape from that dark world. I would be spending most of my time at the hospital and at his bedside and having a lot of tough times. I found that during my run, that was when I was having positive thoughts and actually dreaming of what I wanted to do in the future, rather than just thinking about how awful this time was. What was the first fundraiser like? As my father's health started to decline, I decided to go all in. I decided to run to Terrace from Prince Rupert. It's 144 kilometers away. I decided that was achievable, but also just crazy enough that I knew it would garner the reaction of: 'Like, what!? You're running to Terrace?' Because Rupertites drive to Terrace all the time, and it's an hour-and-a-half drive to get there. I knew it would have that crazy reaction that would help with fundraising. And I also knew that I could do it. The first two times you ran from Prince Rupert to Terrace. Now you're running to Terrace and back. Why the decision to double the journey? I've always loved to push the boundaries, and it's something that's inspired a lot of people. It's inspired me. And I've learned as I've grown through my running journey that if I haven't found my boundary yet, and if I thought that was impossible and I did it, then I need to ask what could the next step be? When I first started running, I thought a half-marathon was crazy and then a marathon was crazy. And I've now done a couple 50Ks, my longest being 52 kilometres, and I've kept moving forward still. I made it last year, and I was honestly feeling pretty good. So I decided, hey, why not? Why not try to go for it? What do you hope that people take away from your story, especially those that may be going through grief or caring for someone with an illness like cancer? Find something to be passionate about, as tough as it is. To keep moving forward. In life and in my long runs, I find inspiration from others and from the thought of Markus's strength and how far I've gotten with cancer fundraising. Those types of things have kept me going through the tough times. What do you think your dad would think now that you're continuing on this journey? I couldn't imagine what he would think about this. The promotion side of things has been crazy. The community has grown at each and every event — the number of people that have reached out to me, my mom, and just everyone involved. It's just been a whirlwind and I just couldn't imagine what he would have thought, because he was moved to tears daily just when he was out there the first year, and it's only gotten bigger since. What was your father's relationship to music? My father was a lifelong musician. Whenever you saw him throughout his life, he had his guitar with him. When he got diagnosed with cancer, he unfortunately had his leg amputated, which came with a lot of phantom pains. I remember so vividly the one day he said the only time that he's 100 per cent pain free is when he's playing music. … After his amputation, he wrote his song "One Good Leg." It was a personal song that he wrote himself, and he recorded it himself, did all the instruments, did everything. Then I helped him put it on Spotify and all platforms in the last week of his life. I can feel Markus with me in spirit every time I put on my running shoes, and I know for a fact he'll be out there every day.
CTV News
10-08-2025
- Health
- CTV News
‘So many deserving kids': Sask. Ride to the Max continues for 11th ride
Isaac had an opportunity to try out one of the bikes with the help of his mom, Jordan. (Hallee Mandryk/CTV News) A group of motorcyclists continued a decade-long tradition of riding for a good cause on Saturday in Martensville, Sask. 'One of the members of our club, years ago, his little boy had cancer. And so we started it then, and we've just kept it going ever since,' Jenz Wollny, the event organizer, said. Ride to the Max annually raises funds for families who have a child undergoing cancer treatment. The Jim Pattinson Children's Hospital connects a different family with the organizers each year. 'Whenever anyone wants to pick your own family, it really makes you feel special because there are so many deserving kids out there. So it's all for him. It's really special and fun for our whole family,' said James McCrimmon, father of the selected family, shared. James and Jordan McCrimmon have spent the last two and a half years in and out of hospital with their son, Isaac, who was diagnosed with leukemia at two years old. 'We're just overwhelmed. We are very excited. We've had a long couple of years, and anytime someone wants to celebrate us or him, we're happy about it. So we're very excited and grateful,' Jordan said. The funds from this event will help alleviate some of the financial burden that comes with lengthy hospital stays. Isaac is currently admitted at the hospital, but he was able to leave for the day to enjoy the over 50 motorcycles parading for him. 'We do a lot of split family time. He's at the hospital with me or James, and the other person is with the other two kids. So this has given us the ability to be together as a family and not have to work and deal with this at the same time,' Jordan said. The grand total won't be known for a little while, but Wollny says even after attending this event eleven times, the feeling of presenting the family with the funds is always special. 'Everybody believes it's a really good cause. It's amazing, it really is. Everybody's there, they see the family show up, and just see how happy they are to get a little extra money,' Wollny said. For the McCrimmons, it's a positive reminder that they have a loving community in their corner during a very difficult time. 'Fundraisers like these have let us be by his side for the last two and a half years without ever leaving. I don't think anyone will ever fully understand how much this actually helps us. It's pretty powerful,' James said.
CBS News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Fear of ICE raids prompts Long Island organization to cancel fundraiser
As United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids continue across the Tri-State Area, sparking fear and uncertainty, some Latino groups are canceling events. CBS News New York's Jennifer McLogan spoke to a Suffolk County organization that raises money for cancer patients and has been forced to make a tough decision. Committee of Latin American Ladies helps women, children battling cancer The Committee of Latin American Ladies is canceling their eighth annual cancer patient fundraiser amid fears of ICE raids. "It's upsetting, and it was a really hard decision because this is something we've been doing for years," said Nitza Franco, with the committee. Their traditional July barbecue in Central Islip has raised $60,000 so far, helping 15 families. Funds go toward medical treatment for women and children and, sadly, funerals, as well. The committee helped Jenova Mendoza, who is grieving the death of her 56-year-old mother, Thelma, who suffered ovarian cancer. "It's not something that we were prepared for. It was so sudden," Mendoza said. "The organization, they heard, and honestly they just really stepped in immediately." Justin Slezak's mother, Grace, died from breast cancer and says the Latin American Ladies group was there through it all. "The organization, they didn't help her just financially, but emotional support," Slezak said. "It's a very sad situation." "People are worried, documented or undocumented" There are multiple women battling cancer on the organization's waiting list for help, but families who spoke to CBS News New York said they are fearful of gatherings and showing their faces in public. Some are seeking safe havens in churches, hoping the crackdown blows over. "We're being impacted by lots of raids in this area. People are worried, documented or undocumented," Franco said. The Latin American Ladies hope to resume public fundraisers next year. "It's hard. The work we do is all from the heart. We all volunteer for this," Franco said. Advocates say Latino immigrants are still afraid to send their kids to school, go grocery shopping and even visit the doctor.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Cancer survivors, doctors and supporters set to rappel downtown Windsor high rise
Pamela Gebrayel beginning to rappel down the CIBC building. (Source: Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation) Cancer survivors, doctors and supporters are getting ready to rappel a downtown Windsor high rise for a good cause. The 'Show Us Your Brave' fundraiser returns Saturday starting at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Participants will rappel 170-feet down to the sidewalk of 100 Ouellette Ave, commonly referred to as the CIBC building. Organizers are very close to their $75,000 goal and are hoping supporters will venture downtown to cheer participants on and donate at the same time. Joining in the excitement this year are some of the regions top doctors and healthcare leaders including Dr. Sindu Kanjeekal, Chief of Oncology, Windsor Regional Cancer Program, Karen Riddel, interim CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital, Kristen Kennedy, President and CEO at Erie Shores Healthcare and leading oncologist Dr. Caroline Hamm. Carson Woodall, Windsor Spitfires Alum and Meg Roberts from AM800's 'Mornings with Mike and Meg' have also raised pledges to rappel and support the cause. Organizers however note each person rappelling has a very unique – and sometimes emotional reason – to rappel, including the three Brave Ambassadors. Show Us Your Brave – Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation The Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation serves as the official fundraising arm for the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre, fulfilling requests of the Windsor Regional Cancer Program. Thanks to tremendous community support, the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation has raised over $30 million to date.
