On Sept. 28, runners of all ages gathered at Peace Park to participate in Believe in the Gold’s 7th annual Run/Walk for Childhood Cancer.
The day began with a pancake breakfast, followed by a two, five, and 10 kilometre event where participants can dress up in costumes and raise funds for childhood cancer.
Shonalie Biafore, founder of Believe in the Gold, created the charity on behalf of her teenage daughter Jayce, who was diagnosed in 2010 with Ewing sarcoma.
“[Jayce] had a dream to become a researcher because there’s not very much research being done for childhood cancer,” said Biafore.
In October 2012, Jayce lost her battle to cancer, but this did not stop Biafore from continuing her legacy. Through this year’s event, Believe in the Gold raised over $62,000 for childhood cancer.
On Sept. 28, runners of all ages gathered at Peace Park to participate in Believe in the Gold’s 7th annual Run/Walk for Childhood Cancer. Shonalie Biafore, founded Believe in the Gold on behalf of her teenage daughter Jayce, who was diagnosed in 2010 with Ewing sarcoma. Video by Solaya Huang
Believe in the Gold’s 7th annual Run/Walk for Childhood Cancer aims to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. from MRU Journalism on Vimeo.
“We always say, ‘go gold for childhood cancer,’” said Biafore. “Gold is the colour because children are precious as gold. By getting people to go gold, we are raising awareness about the colour and childhood cancer.”
One of the participants, Cherie, joined the event for the first time this year, and hopes to make it an annual thing.
“We’ve had family that was affected by cancer,” she said. “So any event that we can go and support — that’s what we like to do; we like to come out and support [and] raise money for awareness.”
Tinkerbell and princesses Merida and Rapunzel brave the cold to support and cheer on runners as they crossed the finish line. Photo by Solaya Huang
To find out more about Believe in the Gold, and how to participate and help with the cause, visit believeinthegold.ca
Editor: Isabelle Bennett | ibennett@cjournal.ca