Movement Inspires Community While Supporting Cancer
Inspiring gratitude. Improving lives. Giving back. Just some of the phrases that Oliver Stankiewicz uses when describing his mission to support families and individuals facing a cancer diagnoses, treatment or remission in our community.
The 2022 Movement Project, where supporters could run, walk or hike any distance from anywhere, was held during the month of May and culminated in the Move4Mom Relay held on Mother’s Day in Kalamlaka Lake Provincial Park. The Project, which saw Stankiewicz run 100 km in 24 hours, raised an amazing $45,232 for the McMurtry-Baerg Cancer Centre at Vernon Jubilee Hospital this year.
“One small movement, a small shift in perspective, can change someone’s story, can change someone’s life. As a community, with some movement, we have the power to make a big difference,” explained Stankiewicz. “Myself and my partner Marie (Articus) started The Movement Project with the idea of taking small steps forward, one foot in front of the other. This small ripple has spread and as a community, as a team we have created something great, a movement.”
Kate McBrearty, VJH Foundation Executive Director, described “what started as a tribute to his mom, Laura Jean Stankiewicz, who sadly passed away from uterine cancer in 2020, has shifted to a more encompassing community event. What Oliver and Marie have achieved in amplifying The Movement forward and supporting cancer care in such a short time is astounding. We are in awe of their results.”
Over $75,000 has been raised over two years through the Movement Run with 100% of the proceeds donated to the McMurtry-Baerg Cancer Centre. To learn more visit themovementrun.com