Do it For Dad Raises More Than $29,000 to Fight Prostate Cancer
The 16th Annual Do It For Dad Run & Walk presented by Interior Savings was a great success raising $29,129 for prostate cancer treatment and awareness in the North Okanagan.Event organizers, Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation and the Vernon Prostate Cancer Support & Awareness Group would like to thank all of the sponsors, volunteers and participants who made the 16th Annual DO IT FOR DAD such a success.
"Every year we enlist the help of more than 40 volunteers, 12 event sponsors, 30 prize and entertainment sponsors and nearly 300 participants, to make this happen for men in our community. And every year, they do us proud," says Sue Beaudry, Director of Development for Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation.
The event took place at Coldstream Ranch under sunny skies with entertainment provided by the Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band, the Kalamalka Caring Klowns and Christine Turpin Face Painting. Runners and walkers were sent off by the siren of a fire truck from the Coldstream Fire Department.The top individual fundraiser was Marnie McKenzie, a long-time participant, who collected $3,040 in pledges. The top fundraising team was once again Doreen's T-Bags, who raised $5,120 in pledges. Funds raised stay locally in our North Okanagan community.Last year's winner, Liam McGrath, once again took first place in the men's category running the 7 km course in 29:39; Kevin Pontious took second place at 34:20, while Mike McGrath placed third at 34:30.In the women's category, Samantha Loewen took first place with a time of 36:57; Alex Lukey was second with 39:39 and Timaree Wallace finished third with a time of 40:04.
The fundraising part of the race was off to a great start before the event took place. Sponsorships totaled $11,000, including $4,000 from title sponsor Interior Savings. Two thousand dollars in donations were raised including $1,800 from a 'Grow it For Your Brother' event by the Knights of Columbus Vernon Council 4949.
This year, funds raised from the 'Do It For Dad Run/Walk' will provide free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests for North Okanagan men, as well as help purchase a resectoscope for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.Men participating in the event were eligible to receive a voucher redeemable for a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test. The voucher will be honoured at the Vernon downtown lab (3100 35th St), Vernon Jubilee Hospital Lab or Valley Medical Lab in Lumby until the end of 2013.Each year in Canada, 23,600 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The death rate has been declining significantly by almost 4% in recent years, likely due to earlier diagnosis and better treatment options.Since inception, the 'Do It For Dad' Run/Walk has raised $351,351 for prostate cancer treatment and awareness in the North Okanagan.For those who missed the event and wish to make a donation please click here or call 250.558.1362.