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Slopes for Hope raised $28,257
The ski community took the fight against cancer to high elevation this winter, raising over $100,000 through six Slopes for Hope events in B.C.
The Kimberley event, hosted at Kimberley Alpine Ski Resort and Kimberley Nordic Centre on March 4, exceeded its $25,000 goal with a whopping $28,257 contributed to the total raised between six participating locations across the province.
The family friendly ski-a-thon encouraged participants to gather a team and attempt to ski/board or trek the vertical distance of Mt. Teepee, Mt. Fisher, Mt. Tanglefoot and Norstar in one day.
“This event is tailor-made for the Kootenays by residents of Kimberley,” according to Dona Bannenberg, who has been volunteering for the event for the past six years. “We are so lucky to live in a community with such passion for skiing and outdoor lifestyle which is only surpassed by our drive to do well for others. It’s such a fun day, and we absolutely love being part of this effort!”
The volunteer-led event is only as good as its organizing committee. The committee went above and beyond to create a fun day full and once again the generosity of the local residents and businesses was outstanding.
“I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such fantastic group of volunteers,” Jenn Smith Annual Giving Coordinator added. “Everyone puts their heart and soul into ensuring it’s a fun day for all.”
A special thank you to our business community whose support is boundless and makes it possible for us to put on such a great event! Signature sponsor Investors Group has been a long-time Society sponsor and cancer-fighting champion since the event took shape seven years ago.
“Investors Group takes pride in supporting this community event, which offers participants many avenues to rally around team and community spirit,” says Mary Ann Jenkins CFP / Associate. “Slopes for Hope raises dollars that go directly to fund research, cancer prevention initiatives and support programs,” she added. “ So many of our community members and their families have been affected by cancer, this is a cause we hold near and dear to our hearts.”
The committee also gives special mention to major sponsors: Kimberley Alpine Summit Fund, Kimberley Bulletin, B104, The Drive FM and Pacific Coastal, not to mention the many other businesses that provided a donation or contributed in-kind to the cause.
This event has been a huge success in Kimberley since its inception, contributing over $100,000 toward supporting individuals living with cancer.
Money raised through Slopes for Hope supports a variety of Canadian Cancer Society initiatives and support programs, which are accessed by West Kootenay residents.
In the Southern Interior Region in 2015-16, the Canadian Cancer Society helped:
- 210 individuals with financial assistance for travel and accommodation during treatment.
- 1,352 individuals with convenient, affordable accommodation in our Southern Interior Rotary Lodge.
- 775 individuals accessed up-to-date information about cancer and local services through Cancer Information Service.
- 112 individuals found emotional assistance from trained cancer survivors through our CancerConnection program.
- 42 children and youth felt empowered through a fun recreational camp (Camp Goodtimes).
Funds raised through the Canadian Cancer Society also support excellence in research projects, including one led by B.C.’s Dr. Rachel Murphy, who is studying the links between nutrition, body weight, and cancer to find ways to promote healthy lifestyles among Canadians. Because the Society knows about one-third of all cancers can be prevented by eating well, being active and maintaining a healthy body weight, Dr. Murphy’s study has application to many different types of cancers.
Slopes for Hope Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kimberley Nordic Club could not have been possible without the approximate 57 participants, 16 teams who signed up and raised funds and awareness by taking the challenge and asking friends and family to get behind their efforts.
“There were some participants who used the event as a means to remember or honour a loved one and with that brought on a special meaning,” adds Smith “ The generosity of everyone involved is outstanding.”
The society is now preparing for its notable campaign held throughout April, also known as Daffodil Month, where the bright daffodil pins are available, corporate pre-order daffodil cuts are sold, and door-to-door canvassing is underway throughout East Kootenay communities. Cranbrook is gearing up to host its first-Daffodil Dash slated for April 29 at McKinnon Park.
For more information or to volunteer with the society, contact Jenn Smith at [email protected] or call 250-426-8916.
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. Thanks to our donors and volunteers, the Society has the most impact, against the most cancers, in the most communities in Canada. Building on our progress, we are working with Canadians to change cancer forever. For more information, visit cancer.ca or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333 (TTY 1-866-786-3934).
Lead image: Some of the participants of this year’s Slopes for Hope at Kimberley Alpine Resort. Tammy Oates photos
Canadian Cancer Society
