They did it for dad

Photo: Contributed

They did it for dad - again.

The 17th Annual Do It For Dad Run & Walk presented by Interior Savings on June 19th was a great success raising $19,359 for prostate cancer treatment and awareness in the North Okanagan.

“We are very thankful for the dedicated community members who help ensure the men in our community receive the health care they need,” said Andrea Egan, Development Officer for Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation.

The event took place at scenic Coldstream Ranch. Runners and walkers were sent off by the siren of a fire truck from the Coldstream Fire Department.

The top individual fundraiser was Marnie McKenzie, a long-time participant and top fundraiser, who collected $3,001 in pledges. 

The top fundraising team was Grandpa Gord’s Team, which raised $770 in pledges.  Funds raised stay locally in our North Okanagan community. 

For the third year in a row, Liam McGrath took first place in the men’s category running the 8-km course in 33:12. Willie Moore took second place at 36:24 and Mike McGrath, for the second consecutive year, placed third at 37:13.

In the women’s category, Samantha Loewen once again took first place clocking in at 40:31. Last year’s third-place runner, Timaree Wallace, stepped up her time, coming in second this year at 41:31 while Katie Goulet took third with a time of 41:34.

The fundraising part of the race was off to a great start before the event took place. 

Sponsorships totaled $10,990 from sponsors, pre-event fundraisers, and pledges, including $4,000 from title sponsor Interior Savings. 

This year, funds raised will provide free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests for North Okanagan men, as well as help purchase equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

Men participating in the event were eligible to receive a voucher redeemable for a PSA test. The voucher will be honoured at the Vernon downtown lab, 3100 35th St., Vernon Jubilee Hospital Lab or Valley Medical Lab in Lumby until the end of 2016.

In 2015, 24,000 Canadian men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, representing 24 per cent of all new cancer cases in men that year. 

The death rate has been declining significantly by almost four per cent in recent years, likely due to earlier diagnosis and better treatment options.

Since inception, the ‘Do It For Dad’ Run/Walk has raised $370,710 for prostate cancer treatment and awareness in the North Okanagan. 

Anyone who missed the event and would like to make a donation can go to vjhfoundation.org or call 250-558-1362.