Each year around 1000 kids are diagnosed with Childhood Cancer in Canada, a number that breaks my heart and I’m sure yours too. Not only do these children have to battle this life threatening illness, but also, have miss out on so many childhood experiences. With the extensive treatments, constant doctors appointments and the illness taking over their lives, these children don’t get to do so many things that others do. Like just be a kid. Camp Oochigeas (Ooch) is a privately funded, volunteer-based organization that provides kids with and affected by childhood cancer with unique opportunities for growth through challenging, fun, enriching and magical experiences.

Every year Sporting Life teams up with Camp Ooch and has a 10km run that takes place across Canada in Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary. Toronto’s is one of the biggest races in Canada, with around 25,000 runners annually. This year the run takes place on Mother’s Day and I will be running with my mom, as this is a cause that holds very dear to her heart. Please help us as we spread awareness, raise money and do our best to help kids experience the wonders of camp, and create some memories that aren’t of them being sick.

In order to qualify, each runner has to earn at least $300, the cost to send one child to Camp Ooch for a day. My personal goal is to raise $600, which is enough to send one kid to camp for a weekend. Please help me fight this extremely important cause, and make a place kids with cancer can just be kids.