Rankin Run cancelled for 2021
COVID-19 expected to impact large gatherings next year
The continued uncertainty over how COVID-19 will impact future events has prompted organizers of one of Niagara’s largest fundraisers to make a “heartbreaking” decision to cancel for 2021.
Rankin Cancer Run director Mary Ann Edwards said now is the time of year she begins serious preparations and gathers sponsors for the following year’s May event, so a decision had to be made.
“It’s been eating at me for a little bit now, the last couple of months just kind of turning at me, and I’m saying no,” said Edwards Thursday, adding she takes full responsibility for the decision.
“The committee’s all totally on board and they 100 per cent agree, as does Rankin Construction. This just is not the time for us to even consider hosting any type of fundraiser. Let’s work on making things better, people getting better, people feeling safer.
“We’ll fight the virus and keep thanking our front liners day by day.”
The annual Rankin Cancer Run in St. Catharines drew more than 14,000 participants in 2019, including 280 teams and kids from 52 schools from across Niagara.
Run solely by volunteers and sponsored by Rankin Construction, the event raised more than $1 million in 2019 and more than $10 million since May 2006.
All funds raised go to local organizations and hospitals in the region that offer cancer supports.
The 15th annual Rankin Cancer Run, originally scheduled for May 2020, was one of the first major fundraisers of the year to be cancelled in March when the pandemic hit and organizers saw the writing on the wall. The hope was to celebrate the 15th anniversary on May 29, 2021, but Edwards said she doesn’t believe large gatherings will be possible by that time. She said safety is paramount
and unless there is a vaccination for all or self-test kits everyone participating could take, it can’t happen.
“It’s heartbreaking. To not have a committee member drop a cheque over to Wellspring or getting that cheque into the (Niagara Health hospital system), is just something we feel and will continue to feel so horrible about,” she said. “It’s awful.”
Edwards said the event isn’t planning any online fundraisers because there are many businesses, families and individuals suffering financially due to the pandemic. She said there are many sad stories and it’s going to be even worse next year for some people.
“Let’s focus on fighting this virus and winning that battle and not fundraising. It’s about being together fighting something else,” she said.
The committee is deciding how to distribute the 2020 Tshirts that were printed for the 15th anniversary that features designs by more than 20 children.
While the Rankin Cancer Run won’t be doing any fundraising, it can’t police others from raising money for it.
This summer, Hamilton resident Jonathan Krawec raised money in honour of his mother, Colleen, by running 100 miles in two days and The Beer Store went ahead with its annual bottle drive at Niagara locations raising more than $13,500.