Help us raise money

Just over three years ago, my nephew had a headache. It continued for a couple of weeks and on a Saturday morning, my partner took him to the emergency room. By the end of day, he was in surgery at Sick Kids to remove a potentially fatal brain tumour that was later diagnosed as cancer. This was in Fall 2018. Between 2017 and 2022, J had multiple recurrences of his cancer and was in and out of hospital and Bloorview. Every time, J's first request upon leaving was to ask about attending Camp Ooch. 

When J expressed interest in a camp that he'd heard about for kids with cancer, we immediately began to investigate it. Within a month, in August 2019, he attended his first Muskoka overnight camp and the cost was nothing for our family. After his first camp, he attended Ooch Camps in Toronto, as well even participated in an online video "campfire" during Covid time. The smile that he had being able to participate in this, and the joy I saw when I attended with him, is my reason to run this race and fundraise. As a runner, participating in this is the least I can do to help kids like my nephew attend these camps at no cost. 

This year will be much tougher. Last year, J scootered along with our group as we ran the virtual race. Unfortunately, J will not be able to come with me this year, as he passed away on January 28. As much as it's hard to do this without him, I know he'd want other kids to be able to attend the camp where he met some of his dearest friends, and had some of his most memorable moments. Camp Ooch allowed J to be a regular kid, and that's why I am running.

Thanks for your donation.