Cancer survivor behind ‘Rope for Hope’ event
Lethbridge cancer survivor, 15year-old Riley Zimmer, will be celebrating the success he has had in his cancer fight in an exciting and unusual way Wednesday.
“I am going to rappel down the side of the Lethbridge Centre,” he states matter-of-factly.
Zimmer is taking part in the MakeA-Wish “Rope for Hope” campaign to raise funds to support the organization’s work with sick children. Those wanting to take part in “Rope for Hope” must raise $1,500.
Zimmer has already exceeded that, and is the current campaign pledge leader in Lethbridge.
“Make-A-Wish is a great organization for kids,” he says, “and I just want to give back by helping them. I got to participate in Make-A-Wish and go to Chicago. I just feel it is necessary to give back to them.”
Zimmer was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma in 2016 at the age of 13, and had to pursue aggressive treatment options to save his life. In the midst of this difficult battle, Zimmer had a promised Make-A-Wish trip to meet the Chicago Blackhawks in his back pocket to help give him inspiration and hope.
“Make-A-Wish kind of gives you a reward at the end of the tunnel,” Zimmer explains. “You keep fighting. It’s like homework— kids don’t want to do it but if you reward them at the end they will try to get through it. That’s kind of what I did. I fought and fought and fought until I got to the reward. It was a pretty tough fight, but I am feeling good right now.”
Is Zimmer nervous about rappelling down one of Lethbridge’s tallest buildings? A little, he admits.
“I think the hardest part is going to be getting over and then starting down,” he says, “but once I get started I think I will be able to do it easier.”
Zimmer and other Lethbridge residents planning to rappel down the Lethbridge Centre for the “Rope for Hope” event are still accepting pledges and donations up to the day of the event. Those interested in supporting their efforts can go to the “Rope for Hope” website and click on Lethbridge to make a donation to the local participants who are taking part in the fundraiser.
“Rope for Hope” starts at 9:30 a.m. and goes until 1 p.m. on Wednesday. A barbecue lunch will be provided by the South Country Co-op. This is the first fundraiser of this type for Make-AWish in Lethbridge.
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