Fundraiser unveils new logo and focus
Inukshuk adorns design representing Run For Our Lives amid efforts to offer broad support for all types of cancer
Jessica Phillips
Northern News Services
Friday, April 15, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A prominent cancer fundraising group launched its new logo marking a more Northern focus at the Yellowknife branch of sponsor CIBC on April 8.
"The purpose of the new logo change is one, to represent that we have changed to raise money for all cancers. That's why it's lavender. Lavender is the colour for all cancer," said Tricia Bourn, Run For Our Lives committee representative for CIBC. "And two, to represent that all money donated to Run For Our Lives stays in the North. That's why we added the inukshuk."
When the fundraiser was created, the organization raised money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Now the funds raised in the North, stay in the North. The organization's move to no longer exclusively raise money to fight breast cancer came about last year.
"People are going to start to hear a lot more about us now," Bourn said. "And we're grateful that CIBC is continuing to support us."
CIBC donated more than $150,000 over the course of the fundraiser's 11-year lifespan.
From 2004 to 2010, the fundraiser raised more than $1 million for a digital mammography machine at Stanton Territorial Hospital, said Bourn, and the fundraiser has also funded the launch of the cancer care co-ordinator program that now has a permanent position at Stanton. The hope for the latter program is to help people navigate the medical system after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Jason Farrugia, the branch's general manager, said CIBC is extremely proud to be part of the fundraiser. He has only been at the position since January but said he can tell Yellowknife is a community that rallies for great causes.
"I'm very proud of this committee. The amount of money that was raised - over $1 million (from 2004 to 2010) - is an extremely huge amount. I have worked in many major cities and we're lucky if we can get $100,000 in the bigger communities," Farrugia said. "I really like the direction that the money here stays in the North to help the people in the North and I think that's fantastic."
Julie Bennett, director of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation, said the organization started keeping all the funds raised in the North in the North when the name switched from Run for the Cure to Run For Our Lives in 2004.
She also said that for the past few years they haven't been hosting runs but instead doing information activities at the Explorer Hotel but will be doing a run this year and is called Walk, Run, Fun.
"This year we added fun for the kids. Kids get tickets for how much money they raise and can use them do the fun activities," she said. "Tickets can also be bought on site."
The walk and run will be held outside St. Patrick High School on Oct. 2 but the fun part will be held inside the school's gym.
She said that the theme this year will be Dr. Seuss with a focus on Green Eggs and Ham.
"Everyone will be dressed up to match the theme," she said.
She said that they will be at the trade show and in the Canada Day parade to show off their theme and draw participants.
