麻豆社区

Whitehorse General Hospital continues to reap the benefits of a longstanding Mother's Day tradition in the Yukon.

This year's Run for Mom events across the territory helped raise $37,000 and counting, funds which will go towards a new mammogram machine at the hospital.

Roughly 1,000 runners, walkers and cyclists took part in the 16th annual Whitehorse event at the SS鈥圞londike Sunday afternoon.

Atlin, Carmacks, and Haines Junction also held events Sunday, with total funds raised still to be determined.

In the capital, participants were entertained by the band Zipline prior to heading out onto the Millennium Trail for the run.

Wendy Callahan was once again the top fund-raiser, chipping in a whopping $9,500 to the cause.

The 60-year-old has singlehandedly raised more than $100,000 for the Run for Mom over the years.

Never one to revel in the spotlight, Callahan told the Star her fund-raising efforts are in honour of her late friend Flo Kitz, who succumbed to breast cancer.

Two years ago, Callahan was honoured with a Canadian Caring Award from the Governor General.

"It just needs to be done,鈥� she said of her charity efforts. "People are very generous.鈥�

Also involved in the event were a group of Whitehorse firefighters, who completed the run in full turnout gear.

Paul Harach, 44, said the firefighters decided to participate last year.

Harach ran in honour of his late mother, Bertha, who lost her battle with cancer in 1998.

The fight to find a cure is a difficult one, he said. "That's what this run is all about.鈥�

Some of the day's more adventurous participants dressed up in costume for the event.

Hal Schulze's get-up included a pirate hat and eye patch. The 17-year-old said the run has become a Schulze family tradition after his grandmothers on both sides battled cancer.

"We do it for fun, mostly,鈥� Schulze said post-run. "But it's an important thing to come out and support.鈥�

CIBC donated $5,000 to the cause, and committed to do the same for the next four years. The bank has donated a total of $58,000 to the run since its inception.

Organizer Val Pike, the hospital's communications co-ordinator, said the run has helped the hospital purchase two mammogram machines over the past 16 years.

"We are fund-raising for the next generation of machine,鈥� she explained. "That's what the money is going towards.鈥�

Through the years, the run has helped to provide gowns for women attending the hospital for a mammogram, and also continues to support Paddlers Abreast, a River Quest team made up of breast cancer survivors.

Last year, the team received new lifejackets via the run's profits.

Monies raised through the annual event have also gone towards decorations of the room housing the hospital's mammogram machine.

"It's probably one of the best in Canada,鈥� said Pike. "We're really proud of our mammography suite. We've really done a nice job of decorating it.鈥�

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On May 25, Cystic Fibrosis Canada's Yukon chapter will host the inaugural Great Strides walk at Rotary Park at noon to help raise funds to improve the lives of Canadians living with the disease.

The charity event will also see participants walk the Millennium Trail.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease that affects Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure.

Each week in Canada, two children are diagnosed and one person dies from this disease. Last year, half of those who died were 34 years old or younger.

"Too often, Canadians with cystic fibrosis are robbed of their most vital years,鈥� said Amy Labonte, volunteer president of the Yukon group. "Please join the fight against cystic fibrosis by sponsoring or registering for our Great Strides walk in Whitehorse.鈥�

On May 31, Watson Lake will host a walk of its own at Wye Lake Park. The festivities will begin at 11 a.m.

More than 12,000 Canadians will walk in 60 locations across the country this month to raise awareness and funding for life-sustaining research, care and advocacy.