PAGE A4 – June 2009 – The GTA Construction Report
Rankin Cancer Run raises $445,000
MATTHEW DESROSIERS – The GTA Construction Report Editor
provided for reference. And committee followed her. The
while Niagara organizations next problem, however, was
Niagara cancer patients because of Rankin Construc- were able to apply for some to find a lead sponsor for the
and survivors have once tion.” of the money raised, the event.
again received generous sup- The story behind The process was very involved Enter Rankin Construc-
port from the region’s volun- Rankin Cancer Run is one of and scared many of them tion.
teers. dedication and passion. away. “The Monday morning, I
Almost 6,000 participants In 1999, Edwards was ap- “We watched this happen called Rankin Construction.
took part in The 2009 proached to be the volunteer and we also listened to a lot They were one of my spon-
Rankin Cancer Run on May director for the CIBC Run of cancer survivors tell us sors.”
23, and raised $445,000. for the Cure event in Niag- that it’s a long trip to Buffalo Edwards spoke with Tom
This marks the events ara. or Hamilton for treatment Rankin’s daughter, Wendy.
four-year anniversary. “I said it would do it on when you’re very sick.” “I said, ‘this is going to
Mary Ann Edwards, the one condition,” she said. “If Finally in 2004, after sound nuts, but I’m starting
Run’s director and founder, I was a volunteer run direc- watching the money leave my own run and I want you
said the event broke the $1 tor, the money raised would Niagara, Edwards decided to be our lead sponsor,’” said
million threshold this year, help the Niagara commu- enough was enough. Imme- Edwards.
and every penny has gone nity.” diately after that year’s run, She explained how all the
back to the Niagara region. Over the next six years, she gathered her team of money would stay in Niag-
“It was $935,000 raised, Edwards said she never re- committee volunteers and ara and be policed. The
and $935,000 given back in ceived confirmation of ex- told them she was leaving problem was that Tom, who
(the past) three years,” she actly where the money was the Run for the Cure. owns Rankin Construction,
said. “This year we raised going. When she asked, she “In the same breath, I told was out of the country.
$445,000 in a time of reces- was told it was going to can- them I was starting my own Wendy said she’d call back
sion, and had just under cer research, however no run.” next week.
6,000 participants. And all doctors or hospitals were Without hesitation, her “Within half an hour, and their shirts and run bibs in a every year goes directly to
to this day I have real trouble
bag, which is then returned the St. Catharines Oncology
saying this without huge
the following day full of department.
emotion, Wendy called back
canned goods for Commu- “I talk to the nurses and
and said ‘Mary Ann, we are
nity Care. Over the last three doctors on the Oncology
your lead sponsor. Just run
years, the event has raised floor, and they purchase
with it. Just do this and help
27,453lbs of food. The total equipment and then I’ve ac-
Niagara.’”
for this year hasn’t been cal- tually gone up and watched
“Tom (Rankin) made this
culated yet, however, it’s ex- the different equipment
happen,” Edwards said.
pected to be the most in the being used on patients,” Ed-
The Rankin Cancer Run
Run’s history. wards said. “That’s ex-
is structured similar to other
Every year, the Run has tremely emotional.”
run events. It is a 1km or
attracted more and more par- The Rankin Cancer Run
5km run/walk. Roughly 95
ticipants, from 3,000 in it’s is a boon to cancer patients
per cent of participants are
first year, to this year’s al- and survivors in the Niagara
walkers, so the runners are
most 6,000. Edwards said region, thanks to Edwards’
released first. Because of the
the support is because peo- and Rankin’s commitment to
volume of participants this
ple like knowing the money their community.
year, the route was a sea of
stays in Niagara, and that all “The basic philosophy is
white t-shirts.
money raised is given back. raise the money and give it
“The first person is cross-
The money is available all back to Niagara,” she
ing the finish line and the
for organizations to apply said. “We’re able to do that
park hasn’t even emptied,”
for every year. Wellspring because we’re all volunteers.
Thank you to all proud supporters of the Gilda's she said. “So you have peo- Niagara has received The only reason this hap-
Club Barrie Ontario clubhouse construction
ple just beginning and the
$300,000 over three years pened is because Tom and
first running is crossing the
from the charity, among Rankin Construction.
project! Watch this space for exciting news! finish line.”
many others. They’ve made this.”
Participants are given
The bulk of the money “He said yes.”
THE FENCE PEOPLE LIMITED
All Types of Temporary Fences
• Chain Link (Driven In) • Plywood Hoarding
• Chain Link (Panels) • Covered Walkways
Gilda's Club Barrie Ontario
• Snow & Silt Fence • Sliding Gates
93 Bell Farm Road,Suite 120, Barrie, ON | L4M 5G3
Office: 705.726.5199 | Fax: 705.726.7101
Tel: (905) 450-0500 Fax: (905) 450-0502
Sarah@gildasclubbarrie.org
www.thefencepeople.com
Charitable Registration: BN87366 4205 RR0001
250 Clarence Street, Unit #11, Brampton, Ontario L6W 1T4
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