Participants waiting to start the 5K race at Peace Arch Hospital.
Peace Arch Hospital & Community Health Foundation held its eighth annual National Bank Financial Great Pumpkin Run Walk Sunday, Oct. 26. This year, the foundation raised more than $80,000 for Peace Arch Hospital’s ER, with donations still coming in. Over the years as the event has grown, the fundraising goal has risen to $100,000 ,and this year tops the $75,000+ that was raised last year. More than $350,000 has been raised for medical equipment and site upgrades for the hospital since the event began.
Kristi Gordon saying hello to some participants.
Approximately 1,200 participants gathered at this year’s event. There were over 150 volunteers, including hospital employees, members of the community and high school students. Participants were able to run or walk the 5K and 1K race routes. It may have been a chilly morning in White Rock, but that didn’t stop everyone from having fun. Many participants and their dogs were dressed in costumes as they took part in the event. Kristi Gordon, Global BC’s Meteorologist, came back for a second year as event emcee and made sure that everyone was entertained.
The top male runner on the 5K route was Evan Durrant and the top 5K female runner was Charlene Janzen. The top cardiac rehab patient participant was Dan Demontreuil. Eight-year-old Markus Stones was the first youth to cross the finish line in the 1K run.
At the annual event, there were many individuals and teams that helped raise funds for the ER. This year’s top youth fundraiser was 11-year-old Logan Watson, and the top adult fundraiser was Fred Kikhosrowkiany from the Centre for Active Living.
The top fundraising teams were White Rock Optometry, which raised $15,911, and the Peace Arch Hospital Cardiac Rehab team, which raised $4,485.
Many more White Rock-South Surrey restaurants and businesses also took part in fund-raising for the Peace Arch Foundation. Restaurants such as the Roadhouse Grille donated 50 cents from every customer to the run. The Morgan Crossing and White Rock White Spot locations also donated 25 cents from every customer between Oct.20-27. Businesses such as Thrifty Foods also donated $1 from each customer who purchased fresh pumpkin, pumpkin pie or pumpkin soup.
Left-Right: Robyn Croft and Amanda Johnson
Carved pumpkins up for auction at the event
Stephanie Beck, director of development at Peace Arch Hospital & Community Health Foundation, explained how the hospital benefits from the money raised at events such as the run. “We’re looking to rebuild and expand our ER department. Our working staff–including nurses and physicians–are working in a space that was built for 20,000 visits a year,[but] we have more than 50,000 visits a year to our ER,” Beck said. “We’re restricted by our space, for both our patients and our staff.”
Beck is humbled by the support from the community. “I am always so inspired by how our community comes together at this fun annual event,” she said. “All of us share a passion for Peace Arch Hospital and keeping quality care close to home.”
The Peace Arch Hospital Foundation has frequent fundraisers throughout the year. It will hold its annual Paint the Town Red for ER event in May 2015.
Sarah Khan
Great piece! The fundraiser seems like such a good time, now that I know of it i’ll definitely try to make it out next year. It’s so great to see how much support there is in the community and the fact that they keep raising more every year and expanding the fundraiser is fantastic.