More than 100 volunteers and 800 participants, including kids, dogs, coworkers, friends and family as well as Southlake Regional Health Centre staff, turned out for the first in-person Nature's Emporium Run for Southlake in two years April 24.
Sisters Catherine and Caitlin Genco believe their 74-year-old mother Clare is alive today because of the care she received from Southlake staff when she was hospitalized last year for five weeks with COVID-19.
The staff's decision to intubate Clare as soon as possible likely saved her life said Catherine.
"Everybody there helped her through the journey and the ICU team was amazing. . . She's alive because of them."
To show their gratitude, the sisters, along with friends Tania Di Nardo and Dora Cultraro, formed team Clare's Chicks and raised $2,920 for Southlake.
Cultraro was also participating on behalf of herself and her own mother, both of whom have received cancer treatment at the hospital.
"Southlake is the best," she said. "Nothing compares to these guys."
Teams at the 20th annual event were made up of as little as three and as many as 40 members.
Some were participating in the 5K run for the first time while for others it's an annual tradition; the one thing everyone had in common was their desire to support their community hospital.
Yan Hu and her children Jacob, 8, and Grace, 4, were participating for the first time. It's a good cause, Hu said, and she's running to support the community, the hospital and front-line workers.
"I would like my kids to know this is a good thing to do."
In her hard-to-miss orange tutu Erin Smith, part of Orange Theory Fitness' team, said so many of the fitness club's staff and members hail from the area so they wanted to support "our hospital."
Led by owner Joe Derochie, the 43 member team raised $2,700 this year.
As members of Team Pete/Abby's army, Jenn Perry and daughters Vanessa, 10 and Hannah, 8, raised $915 — $730 of which was raised entirely by Vanessa.
The family began running seven years ago in honour of a friend named Pete — who participating himself while undergoing cancer treatment at Southlake, as well as for the four-year-old daughter of Perry's friend who is undergoing treatment for Leukemia.
"We are supporting both of our warriors by running this run," said Perry.
Mayor john Taylor opened the ceremony by saying how crucial Southlake was to the community. He mentioned the hospital's plan for a second location and said it would take Southlake's entire catchment area to make it a reality.
"Thank you for your commitment to our hospital," he said, "it's our turn to be there for Southlake."
Hospital CEO Arden Krystal and Southlake foundation president and CEO Jennifer Ritter emceed the event and Nature's Emporium CEO Joe D'Addario welcomed the crowd back after two years away.
"Today means so much to us, it has been a long two years but we have come through stronger and more resilient together," said Krystal. "Southlake is your hospital, here for you when you need us. We are always by your side and today you are here by our side when we need your support."
Taylor was joined by Newmarket—Aurora MP Tony Van Bynen and Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill MPP Michael Parsa as well as mayors Tom Marakas, Aurora, Virginia Hackson, East Gwillimbury, Rob Keffler, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Steve Pelegrini, King and Margaret Quirk, Georgina.
Ritter joked that the run was a friendly competition among the mayors before letting it slip "at the risk of riot" that team Aurora, led by Marakas, was in the lead.
After a pre run stretch, with all dignitaries on stage, the participants gathered at the starting line.
By race day, $300,000 had been raised but fundraising will continue until May 13.
