EVERYONE SIGNING UP HAS A REASON TO RUN
For 23-year-old White Rock resident Rachel Klinosky, the decision to sign up for the 2017 Vancouver Sun Run was extremely personal.
“When I was 16, my best friend’s dad died of cancer,” said Klinosky, who signed up for her first Sun Run this year and hopes to raise $500 for the B.C. Cancer Foundation.
“I was around for that. I had an aunt die of cancer. My step-mom had brain cancer, but has been in remission for over 10 years. My sister-in-law’s mom died of cancer. So cancer has really touched me,” said Klinosky. “And my friend did a 10K last year in New Zealand to raise money for cancer. That’s what prompted me to fundraise (with the 33rd annual Sun Run).”
Klinosky, who works in the local movie industry booking extras for films, added: “I was in a car accident last year and broke my arm. I went to physiotherapy and met an 86-year-woman who walks the Sun Run every year. I thought, ‘If she can do it, then I can do it.’ ”
Klinosky is not alone in deciding to use the Vancouver Sun Run to raise money for the BCCF, because the community event isn’t just about running. Or walking. It’s also about raising funds for local groups through the Sun Run’s Charity Program, by giving registrants the opportunity to raise money or donate to local Charity Partners through the pledging program.
Since 2014 Sun Run participants have raised more than $99,000 for their Charity Partners. This year, there are six Charity Partners: B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation, B.C. SPCA, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Ronald McDonald House B.C. and Yukon, B.C. Cancer Foundation and WE Charity.
Since 1985, the Sun Run has donated more than $2.5 million in proceeds for important causes.
As well, $25,000 is donated annually to The Vancouver Sun Raise-a-Reader campaign and $50,000 is given in support of B.C.’s amateur athletes via the Achilles Track Society and The Vancouver Sun International Jerome Track Classic.
Steven Rayson, manager of community events for the BCCF, said this is the second year they’re raising money through the Sun Run.
“It worked out great last year,” said Rayson. “We had 60 participants who chose us as their charity of choice and they raised just over $17,000 for the foundation. We hope it will be the same or higher this year.”
He noted the Vancouver Sun Run website directs people to choose one of the worthy charities — if they wish to help. “Then they use the tools within the charity fundraising site to raise funds by reach- ing out to family and friends.”
Natasha Frankowski, the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s special events co-ordinator for B.C. and Yukon, is participating in her first Sun Run. She hopes to raise money and awareness for the foundation.
And for Frankowski, lacing up this year is also personal — her 78-year-old father had heart issues.
“I always wanted to participate in the Sun Run and kept putting it off. Now that I’m working with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, there was no question I should do this.”
Frankowski said this is the fourth year the Heart and Stroke Foundation has been involved in the Sun Run. More than $20,000 was raised in the run last year.
This will be the third year Sooke resident Mae Lingren has fundraised for the B.C. SPCA, another Sun Run Charity Partner. She originally ran in honour of her late grandfather, Barney Rickman.
“He was an avid animal lover and always supported the work I did with animals. This year, I’ll run in honour of my father (Donald Lingren), who I recently lost and who was also an avid animal lover,” said Lingren, who raised $1,020 in 2015 and 2016.
“I’ve worked for the SPCA for the last three years, so I can see firsthand the need to raise funds for the animals,” said Lingren, who also works as a veterinary technician and has two cats.
Bri MacBain, the officer of fundraising events for the B.C. SPCA, said 2017 will be the fourth year the B.C. SPCA has participated. The group has raised $20,809 to date.