Sunday, September 16, 2012

Thank you



Today Team Malcolm ran in the Terry Fox Run.  Friends Jen and Lauryn joined us and Grama and Grampa Rainey were there to cheer us on.  Donovan and I ran one loop (3.3 km) with Lauryn, Jen ran two loops and Jan and Malcolm walked a couple of kilometers.  Donovan ran almost the whole loop - what energy!  Lauryn and I were almost outdone by a six year old.  It is a fun event with fresh waffles and other goodies to eat after - what a welcome treat.

We raised over $1,400!  Many thanks to those who donated online, by cheque or cash.  We were very pleased that so many of our family and friends decided to give a little extra to cancer research this year.  We hope to keep doing the event and to raise at least $1,000 each year for ten years - so that we can help contribute at least $10,000 to the cause.  Thank you all for being a part of that and stay tuned for next year!

Mary Ellen

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Terry Fox Run 2012


On September 16, Team Malcolm is again participating in the Halifax Terry Fox Run.  After our success last year, we have decided to make it an annual event.  That smiling face you see above has benefited from cancer research and we want others to benefit the same way.  As recently as the 1990s, more kids were being killed than cured from the treatment they received for Malcolm's specific type of cancer.  Research revealed that kids with Down syndrome have a particular sensitivity to the chemo drugs used to kill the disease.  By drastically reducing the doses these kids receive, the survival rate has now increased to upwards of 90% - greater than for any other type of childhood leukemia.  Researchers are now studying the unique characteristics of kids with Ds to try to replicate the same result in all kids.  Research does make a difference.

We support the Terry Fox Foundation as it is a volunteer driven organization that supports research into a broad range of cancers.  This year as we run in honour of Malcolm, we also carry in our hearts family friend Darren and our Uncle Brent, and their families, as they have been journeying through their own experiences with cancer this year.  In addition, we never forget the faces of the other kids who shared Malcolm's journey at the IWK.

We welcome small donations, large donations and expressions of support.  Terry Fox is about hope.  Together we can make a difference.

Mary Ellen

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