Published in The BANAR November 2013
by Bill Horne
On a glorious autumn day, October 20, some 214 eager runners and walkers did their part to chase cancer out of their lives and those of friends and family. The counting of proceeds is not quite complete as of writing, but it appears to be at least $21,800 for cancer research at the Ottawa Hospital. We were pleased to host a large contingent of young runners from the Ottawa Lions Club, Carleton University and Gloucester High School.
While not technically a race, the Cancer Chase first place finisher was Gloucester High School Grade 12 student Farah Abdul Karim, who crossed the finish line in 16 minutes, 30 seconds. Farah has a great future in track. And probably anything else he chooses to do.
We were pleased to have M.P. Royal Galipeau and Ottawa Councillor Rainer Bloess start the event again this year as well as having amazing support from many area businesses and sponsors, which produced an almost endless supply of items for the raffle and silent auction. Donors are listed on page 4; many thanks to all for your generosity.
It’s been 10 years since Lynn and Eric Sewell gave so generously of their time and resources in the creation and leadership of Cancer Chase (they also earlier gave eight years of cancer-fighting events with another organization). We are saddened to learn they will be leaving the Hamlet and heading to Belleville, where their family is, by the time the 2014 Cancer Chase rolls around. Their contribution to our community has been legendary. Fortunately, Jeff MacDonald, with HomeLife Capital Realty Inc., has agreed to chair the Cancer Chase team going forward, so Hamlet residents can look forward to more and more Cancer Chases. We are always eager to add more volunteers to our organizing committee; you do not have to run or know what a race “bib” is; you just have to believe that cancer can be beaten and want to help do it.