The annual Climb for Cancer is getting back to its roots and returning to a one-day event after two years of innovating to work within provincial restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The annual climb up the cutbanks along the Nechako River was spread over two-days and involved multiple climb times in 2020 and 2021, but this year on May 29 teams will once again ascend the cutbanks all together in support of the Kordyban Lodge.
“We’re really excited to reclaim our normal spring time slot for this event after holding it in the summer in 2020 and the fall in 2021 as a result of working around restrictions on events due to COVID-19,” says Doug Bell, planning committee chair.
“We’re asking people to mark their calendars for this event and help us kick off summer by supporting the Kordyban Lodge and the people it assists through a very difficult time in their lives.”
Registration is not yet open for the 7th annual Climb for Cancer, but returning and new participants are currently being asked to save the May 29 date and follow the Climb for Cancer on Facebook and Instagram to watch for updates.
On the day of the climb, participants will gather and ascend the cutbanks straight up the face or along the switchbacks as many times as they would like before enjoying a BBQ and live music.
The planning committee is upping its goal and hoping to raise $60,000 in support of the Kordyban Lodge through this event.
Participants and sponsors drummed up $50,000 in 2020, for a total of $250,000 over the six years the fundraising event has been running.
The money raised through the Climb for Cancer goes toward the approximately $1-million in annual costs associated with operating the Kordyban Lodge, which is a not-for-profit organization that serves as a home-away-from-home for cancer patients from the region receiving treatment at the BC Cancer Centre for the North and their families.
The facility offers numerous amenities to help guests feel comfortable and safe during their stay, including private rooms, a media room, family room, games room, spiritual room, laundry facilities, guest computer areas, and more.
The Kordyban Lodge also offers a wig and breast prosthesis bank. Participants, volunteers, and sponsors including the presenting sponsor of seven years, Carrier Lumber, are integral to ensuring the success of the Climb for Cancer, which is the main annual fundraising event for the Kordyban Lodge.
Donations are accepted leading up to and following the event.
