OACS News Service

School top fundraiser in community cancer run
We wanted to show community 'we’re here to serve': principal
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 -- Michelle Strutzenberger
Last year, Mike, a Grade 5 student, ran in a local community cancer run. This year, after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in November, he rode in a golf cart. But, as he told participants in a speech at the event, next year he wants to be out running again.

Mike is a student at Beacon Christian Schools (BCA) in St. Catharines. He was the child spokesman at the Rankin Cancer Run, a community fundraising event for cancer care, held May 26.

BCA was the top fundraiser among schools for the event, bringing in over $17,400.

“Mike was really an impetus for this school to participate this fully this year,” says Karen Gerritsma, principal of BCA’s elementary school. She adds that all families from the school have been touched in one way or another by cancer.

The BCA team was also recognized for having the second-highest number of participants – 199. In light of these achievements, the school was awarded two trophies and $1,500 for computer equipment.

Another student at the school, Joel, was one of seven winners of the t-shirt design contest for the event.

But the point was not to win the prizes, Gerritsma says. “The point was to show the community that we are here to serve and to be Christ’s hands and feet to the community.

“It was a wonderful way to be a good neighbour and let our light shine.”

The Rankin Cancer Run is a one-kilometer run and five-kilometer walk organized locally in St. Catharines. All funds are directed back to cancer care for the Niagara region. This year about 4,000 people participated in the event and $270,000 was raised.