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Survivor not running scared Almost $2,000 raised for efforts
to fight breast cancer
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, September 12, 2013
INUVIK
These people aren't running scared from cancer.
Tanya White, left, the organizer of Inuvik's Run for Our Lives, poses with Cheryl Greenland, the top fundraiser for the event on Sept. 8. Greenland is a cancer survivor who has taken up running as a way of reclaiming her health. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo
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About 25 people took part in the ninth annual CIBC Run for Our Lives event in town on Sunday. In the process they looked cancer in the eye and raised more than $2,000 for cancer treatment in the North.
That was especially true for Cheryl Greenland, who was the top fundraiser for the run. She raised a little more than $1,100, a staggering portion of the total.
She's a breast cancer survivor who's taken up running only in the last six months.
The soft-spoken Greenland was modest about her accomplishments.
"I raised most of that money just from my friends," she said.
She was diagnosed in 2009, Greenland said, and successfully fought off the disease.
"I'm a survivor," she said.
Greenland said she's taken up running just this year. She does it to stay active, she said, and to reclaim her health.
Participants in the run walked and ran a looping circuit around the downtown area that ranged from three kilometres to five or 10 kilometres. Most opted for the three kilometres on that cool day.
There was far more companionship and camaraderie to the run than competition, even with notable runners like Brittney Selina taking part. Selina, who won the Midnight Sun Fun Run half-marathon in June, was content to walk and jog her way through the event.
Others, like Shona Barbour and several friends, ran the distance without pushing hard.
Then there was John Dempster, bravely clad in shorts, who ran one circuit before dashing into the MacKenzie Hotel to warm up.
"He got cold," said Sara-Jane Dempster.
"I told him not to wear shorts."
Josh Sullivan was one of the more serious runners taking part. He's also a CIBC employee.
"I actually don't work out as much as I should," he said. "I haven't done any physical activity since I got back here in May. I just have a little bit of energy today and it's a great cause that we need to promote as much as we can.
"Everybody has somebody who's been affected. It's a good excuse to get out and get some fresh air as well."
Everyone, it seemed, wanted to do their part to stomp on cancer.
Youngsters Shayne Bleakney, Jacob Israel and Jesse Israel raised $50 between them. They rode their scooters around the course.
A few, like Barbour, hadn't been touched by cancer personally, but still wanted to do their part to raise money for cancer treatment in the NWT.
The money raised, said organizer Tanya White, will go to the Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife, specifically for cancer treatment.
While the run is primarily focused on fundraising to fight breast cancer, it's evolved into a general event for cancer research and treatment.
"All the money stays in the North," White said. "This year the money is going to chemotherapy and IV treatment."
The 25 people taking part is a bit above the normal range of 10 to 20 participants, White said.
"Most people taking part will do the three kilometres, but members of the running club will often do five or 10," she added.
The final total from the fundraiser came to $3,789.90, when funds raised at the branch are included.
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