Run for Families

Annual Run for Ronald McDonald House Charities is May 6th.

“Sick kids need their families and families need a home,” Oreen Skiba, Lakeland Region, Stakeholder Relations Manager for the Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Alberta (RMHCNA) says running is just one of the ways the community can help ensure families are taken care of, while they are caring for a sick child. “RMHCNA is a home away from home for families who have to travel seeking treatment for their seriously ill or injured child.”

By participating in the run, fundraising or donating to the cause, you are helping families in the Lakeland. Here’s the Phillips family story, from the RMHCNA website:

My husband and I ran the 5K in May 2016 at the Run for RMHCNA in honour of our daughter Grace. She was born with a tumor that needed to be surgically removed so we were able stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Edmonton for a month. The House took such good care of us during a very stressful and scary time.

When I heard about the run in Cold Lake I knew I wanted to be involved. So in 2015 I volunteered hoping to give back a little to a place that means so much to us. After volunteering and seeing all the people come out to such a fun event, it got me excited and I knew the next year, even though I wasn’t a runner, I was going to participate!

Phillips family at the Run for RMHCNA in 2016.

We were able to run the 5K as our daughter Grace and the rest of our family cheered us on at the finish line. It was so great to see everyone participating in the race knowing first hand that the money raised will help keep families together like it did for our family.

This event will now be a yearly tradition for us and we’re excited to run again in 2017!

Registration for this year’s run is now open. Register online today to start raising funds for the House that so many families call home.

-Laura Phillips, mother to House Hero Grace and Run for RMHCNA participant

The third annual run will be held on May 6th and is open to everyone. There are different options for all fitness levels and you don’t have to run. Offered is a 5 km, 10 km or half marathon, with new routes this year to bring a little excitement for the avid runners. “Participants are encouraged to fundraise; however it is not mandatory,” says Skiba, who adds there are some great prizes fro top fundraisers:

• $1500 travel voucher
• Two passes to the Centerfield Music Festival in St. Paul on June 16 & 17th featuring Brett Kissel, Trooper, Aaron Pritchett, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and more. Donated by the Town of St. Paul.
• One entry for the 2017 Servus Edmonton Marathon (any event: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km, 5km or ABC Kids Run). The Servus Edmonton marathon takes place August 19-20th, 2017. Donated by 21one. This package will also include a hotel night and restaurant gift certificate.
• Autographed Milan Lucic Frame Pack, Donated by United Cycle
• Autographed Cam Talbot Frame Pack, Donated by United Cycle
• Motion in Sync has generously donated a Comprehensive Assessment & two follow up/training sessions. This will be valuable for anyone who has a chronic injury or pain, someone who wants to learn how they are compensating and how to change it, someone who wants to improved sports performance, training or athletic ability.
• Set of Gel Nails, donated by Vogue Gel Nails & Hair Care

To register for the run, head to rmhcna.org/rfr and be sure to stop by your local McDonalds on Wednesday May 3rd for McHappy Day!