The 7th annual Climb for Cancer has surpassed the fundraising goal set for this year’s event.
The preliminary fundraising amount for the 7th annual Climb for Cancer has been calculated and over $60,000 has been raised so far, which was the goal for 2022.
This compares to $50,000 raised in 2021 and brings the total raised over seven years to over $300,000.
After two years of spreading the event across several days to align with restrictions on events due to COVID, the Climb for Cancer returned to its original one-day format and was held on May 29.
The annual event sees participants climb up the Nechako cutbanks in support of the Kordyban Lodge, which is a not-for-profit home-away-from-home for cancer patients from northern B.C. who are receiving treatments in Prince George.
An estimated 400 people attended, making up a number of teams that climbed the cutbanks either vertically or via the switchbacks.
The biggest team consisted of 40 people who came out in support of a local 17-year-old who is going through cancer treatment and currently staying at Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver, a facility which is very similar to the Kordyban Lodge in Prince George.
Volunteers consisted mainly of planning committee members, including one who travelled from Kamloops for the event.
“We are thrilled with the amount raised and the incredible support from the community both in participating in the event and raising money for the Kordyban Lodge and providing support to ensure both events ran smoothly,” says Doug Bell, Planning Committee Chair.
“I want to give a big thank you to planning committee members, all of the participants and volunteers, our sponsors, including title sponsor of four years Carrier Lumber, and the musicians, food truck operators, and vendors who made the community event possible.”
The top fundraising team was Positive Altitude, who raised over $7,600 for the Kordyban Lodge, followed by the Honeyberries at around $5,600 and Handsome Cabin Boy Tattoo at almost $3,000.
2019 remains a record year with $65,000 being raised and over 500 people participating, however 2022 donations are still rolling in, with the final total expected in the coming weeks.
All of the funds raised go toward annual costs associated with operating the Kordyban Lodge, which is a not-for-profit organization that provides an affordable and safe home-away-from-home for cancer patients from the region receiving treatment at the BC Cancer Centre for the North and their families.
Donations are still being accepted and can be made at www.climbforcancerpg.ca.
