Rankin Cancer Run makes a splash
It turned out rain was no match for the 14th annual Rankin Cancer Run.
A pre-race deluge turned the field/staging area at Grantham Lions Park into a quagmire and collapsed the tent from under which a local radio station was broadcasting, but the run itself went off without a hitch.
Tom Rankin, who lent his family and company name to the event in 2004, said the run will raise more than $1 million again this year, while run director Maryanne Edwards said a record number of 280 teams participated.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would grow like this,” Rankin said. “We just hoped to raise $100,000. Now, in the last few years, we have been above $1 million.
“I tell people there is a spirituality to it now. People are walking or running for loved ones, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, friends. It’s great to see all of them come out here and support a worthy cause.”
For Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, the event has taken on special significance.
He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in July 2018.
“I have taken part in the Rankin Run and the Big Ride for Cancer, but it was always for someone else,” said Diodati, 53. “I never dreamed it would be for me.”
Diodati had to avoid hugs, handshakes and crowds because of his weakened immune system. The illness and chemotherapy forced him to miss meetings. With an election looming, some of his opponents were spreading rumours about his imminent demise.
“I spent a lot of time on the
couch without the energy or stamina to do much,” said Diodati, whose oncologist has since declared him cancer free.
“I wasn’t thinking about fancy cars or winning lotteries. I was thinking about the simple things we take for granted.
“I was thinking about being able to enjoy a meal. I was thinking about sleeping through the night without waking up every hour. I was thinking about having enough energy to walk the dog around the block.”
He said he never thought he would be grateful for the opportunity to cut his lawn or shovel his driveway, but here he is.
“I tell people you can’t ask why this happened? The question is what am I supposed to learn from this? How am I supposed to grow from this?”
Diodati saluted both participants and volunteers. Even the Niagara Falls Illumination Board joined the act by turning the falls orange for 15 minutes Saturday night in recognition of the run.
“Every person here today made a commitment,” Diodati said. “They signed up on a nice sunny day, not knowing what the weather was going to be like. They set a great example for their family, their kids and their community.”
Edwards said the fact that all funds from the volunteer-run event stay in Niagara and go towards local cancer support resonates with people. It certainly did with Rankin.
It was Edwards who called Rankin Construction with the request to be the lead sponsor for the first run in 2004. At that point, she had a plan in her head but nothing on paper. When Rankin heard the money was staying in Niagara, he was on board.
Other companies Edwards approached first were not as receptive. The message to Edwards was that the run was going to be a failure, and it wouldn’t be good for their business to be connected to a flop.
“If Tom didn’t commit, nobody else would have,” she said. “And remember, in 2004, the construction business was iffy here in Niagara.
“For him to do what he did was profound. I’m not sure anyone else would have said yes.”