CHEO’s RBC Race for the Kids at Wesley Clover Parks – Help transform pediatric care
As CHEO undergoes the most significant expansion in its five-decade history, the CHEO Foundation is calling on the corporate community to support its efforts.
“To have a thriving business community, you need a healthy healthcare system,” says Emily Jamieson, vice president, corporate philanthropy and community engagement with the CHEO Foundation. “We need the business community to support CHEO more than ever.”
And there is a perfect opportunity available, Jamieson says, with CHEO’s RBC Race for the Kids taking place on Sunday, Oct. 6 at Wesley Clover Parks.
Staged as an all-abilities event on a closed-course, the race gives participants the option to choose a distance of 2K, 5K or 10k (the latter two of which are timed). The beautiful Wesley Clover Parks serves as the perfect setting that encourages both a family atmosphere and a way for the corporate community to engage with one another.
“Having the best health care for our kids is crucial to attracting talent to our city and to running a successful business here.”
The race is unique in that it is a fundraising event that incorporates both the business community as well as families, Jamieson points out, adding that there are fun additions to the race like a costume challenge.
The CHEO Foundation and RBC are confident that the business community and the region at large will support its efforts to reach its fundraising goal.
“Whether you have five or 500 employees, participating in CHEO’s RBC Race for the Kids is a wonderful opportunity for corporate teams to connect and build team spirit among colleagues and their families,” says Dan Thiruganaratnapathy, RBC’s Vice President, Commercial Banking and co-chair of this year’s race. “Together with my Team RBC colleagues, we are all in to support CHEO, a healthcare provider critical to the well-being of children and youth in our community.”
Since 2017, the event has attracted 2,000 participants a year and to date has raised $3 million. “It’s a fun day overall and it’s really family friendly,” Jamieson says, adding that the setting at Wesley Clover Parks enhances the experience.
Wesley Clover Parks is part of the Wesley Clover Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by tech magnate Sir Terry Matthews.
“We are so lucky to have this amazing hospital for our children in Ottawa,” says Karen Sparks, executive director of the Wesley Clover Foundation. “It really is an essential part of the fabric of our community. Having the best health care for our kids is crucial to attracting talent to our city and to running a successful business here. That’s why I’m excited about CHEO’s RBC Race for the Kids! It’s about bringing the business community together in a healthy way to support CHEO, and it’s a lot of fun too,” says Sparks, who is also the event co- chair of the race on behalf of CHEO, as well as a board member of the CHEO Foundation.
“There is no one who has not been touched by CHEO, and the CHEO’s Race for the Kids is really for the family and community members.”
Funds are raised through participation fees, but if people choose to go above and beyond and raise $60 and over, the cost is waived, Jamieson says.
And while some may take the competition aspect of the race or fundraising seriously, it is a laid-back, family vibe that is welcoming to everyone, she adds. Indeed, there is a family zone featuring a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, live music, a petting zoo and of course, sustenance in the way of food and refreshments.
While CHEO has served the community to a high standard for five decades, much of its services and infrastructure require an upgrade. As a result, a $220 million campaign has been launched. With community support a new 220,000 square foot integrated treatment centre will be built as part of the first phase of the redevelopment project.
“We are undergoing our largest transformation ever,” Jamieson says. “CHEO is not just a hospital, it is becoming a pediatric centre. The complex needs of children have grown,” she adds, pointing out that when the campus was built, Ottawa’s population was around 440,000. It has more than doubled since then. Additionally, CHEO’s reach is not restricted just to the Ottawa area, but also Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, serving thousands of children per year.
CHEO’s services are also continuously expanding to include mental health support, says Jamieson.
“There is no one who has not been touched by CHEO, and the CHEO’s Race for the Kids is really for the family and community members.”
Written by Kate Chappell, Ottawa Business Journal.
In partnership with RBC.
