It’s the end of an era for Shelley Donald: on April 9, Sungod Recreation Centre will host the final Run for Life.
Donald is one of the founders and the current organizer of Run for Life, a fundraiser for Canadian Cancer Society and the B.C. Childhood Cancer Parents Association. After 15 years, she’s decided to let the charity event go.
This wasn’t a snap decision for Donald — since she started organizing the event in 2003, the numbers of both organizers and participants have diminished.
It used to be a group of 12 people that organized the Run for Life, but now that number has dwindled down to four: Donald, and three other women who volunteer on the day of the race.
“It’s too much for one person,” she said. “You still have to do all the same things, whether you have 50 or whether you have 250” people coming to the event.
The event features a 5km race through North Delta, starting and ending at Sungod. Interested participants have to register online before April 8, and there is a $20 registration fee. The participants can decide whether they want their fee to go towards the Canadian Cancer Society or the B.C. Childhood Cancer Parents Association.
“Too many people are affected by cancer, so people should come out and do their part,” she said. “Every little bit helps.”
Donald struggles with her choice to retire the event as the cause is still important to her.
“Since I’ve made that decision, I am now second guessing myself,” she said. “If people seriously approach me and say that they will help, maybe it won’t be the last year. But I need committed people that can help me.”
The 15th annual Run for Life is taking place at Sungod Recreation Centre on April 9. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the race starts at 9:30 a.m. The kids 1km race starts at 10:45 a.m.