Spirits were high at the 12th annual Richview Manor’s Strides for Stroke Saturday, May 6 despite damp and chilly weather, with more than 1,200 participants running and walking 5 kilometres to raise more than $230,000 for Mackenzie Health.
The run/walk is the largest community event for Mackenzie Health Foundation, attracting hundreds of participants young and old, many returning year after year to help ensure their community hospital has the state-of-the-art life- saving equipment and technology it needs.
This year’s event raised more than $230,000 – setting a record for the largest number of registered participants and teams, as well as sponsors. Top fundraising teams include UniversalCare, Scotiabank, RBC and Little Morello Vettese Segreto LLP, while Mario Masellis accepted accolades as the top fundraiser, collecting 53 donations to raise $5,665.
“Nothing compares with the fabulous spirit of last weekend’s outstanding Strides for Stroke,” said Ingrid Perry, CEO and president of Mackenzie Health Foundation. “Congratulations to all and many thanks to our generous donors and sponsors and to our exceptional participants and volunteers for their unflagging commitment and cheer in the face of wind and rain.”
“The community experience of running together for a meaningful and important cause, encouraging each other on the run and then celebrating together in a fun fair atmosphere has simply been phenomenal,” said Shyrose Jaffer Dhalla, who was on the 28-member Jaffari Community Centre team, which raised $5,400.
Raising more than $1.5 million in total since 2006, Richview Manor’s Strides for Stroke brings out more than 1,200 participants and supporters to enjoy the annual 5K run/walk that features a chip-timed race, participant medals/T-shirts and race kits, food trucks, entertainment and fun activities for all ages. The event begins and ends at Alexander Mackenzie High School, across the street from Mackenzie Health and follows a course along the streets of Richmond Hill and Vaughan.
FAST FACTS
- Mackenzie Health Foundation is spearheading the Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign – the largest fundraising drive led by a community hospital in Canada – to help build and equip Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as to enhance care at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.
- Since 1977, Mackenzie Health Foundation has raised more than $125 million for capital projects, medical equipment, technology and educational opportunities for Mackenzie Health.
- Mackenzie Health is a regional health care provider with a two-site hospital model that includes the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, as well as a comprehensive network of community-based services in Vaughan, Richmond Hill, King and surrounding communities.
Contact: Debora Kelly, Director, Communications, Marketing & Stewardship, Mackenzie Health Foundation, Debora.Kelly@mackenziehealth.ca, 905.883.1212, ext. 7803.