CA – RRT Assists At The CancerCare Challenge For Life 2.0

‘Walk It’ for 20 kilometres or ‘Work It’ for 200 minutes of straight exercise? You decide! This is no small feat, but for many of the 757 who participated in the CancerCare Challenge for Life 2.0, 2016, this event is a way for them to show their support and raise funds for cancer research in Manitoba.

The 2016 CancerCare Challenge for Life 2.0 Event

Cancer is a disease consisting of more than 150 types and stages and receiving a diagnosis for this disease can be overwhelming to many. During the fight against cancer, many programs and services are not eligible for government funding and that is where the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation (CCMF) steps in. The CCMF has granted more than $98 million to bridge this gap and help deliver the best research, patient care, treatment and support to cancer patients. Each year in Manitoba the CancerCare Foundation hosts a sponsored walk to raise funds and this year, amongst the other willing and generous volunteers, RRT was called in to show their support to the participants.

The Opening Ceremonies

The day started off with the opening ceremonies at 8:30am, consisting of a few pep talks from the Foundation’s leaders, followed by some lively songs from a local band to encourage everyone before their exercise. A few minutes later all participants crowded the Lyric Stage to Warm It Up with Debbie Lewis to music performed by Jennifer Scott.

By 8:55 the mark began as the “Walk It” participants followed the ‘Dirty Catfish Brass Band’ and ‘Challenge for life 2.0 Van’ to the starting line while the “Work It” participants followed the ‘Viva Brasil Drummers’ and ‘LTI’ to the Work It tent.

During the walk, the RRT members worked alongside other volunteers stationed at various check points along the route, to hand out water bottles, snacks, and cheer the participants on.

Handing out water bottles to the walkers The Kids Zone

Other RRT Volunteers were assigned to help in the Kids Zone, with fun activities such as face painting.

RRT Volunteer face painting The finish line

Finally, after a long and tiring walk, the first few participants started arriving back where they were greeted by cheerleaders, more RRT members, and a hot lunch. The participants who chose to take part in the 200 minute exercise program were also cheered on and supported in a similar way to the walkers.

Some of the many RRT Volunteers from Stonewall, Winnipeg and Woodlands

After all participants had arrived back and had lunch, there was a closing ceremony that provided an opportunity for all to reflect on what brought them to the event and what ‘Challenge For Life’ means to all Manitobans. The fundraising team was called up to announce the revenues generated from this year’s event – a surprising sum of $955,062!! A great day was had by all and RRT hopes to be a part of this event again next year!