It's nearly time to step up - and up, and up - for the Climb for Cancer.
Set for Sun., Sept. 19, the event is just three weeks away from taking to the Nechako cutbanks and, as of Wednesday, pledges were at just 60 per cent of the total reached by the same time last year.
"The community really rallied to support the Kordyban Lodge in 2020, but our fundraising numbers still took a hit due to needing to reschedule the Climb for Cancer a couple of times as a result of restrictions put on gatherings to curb the spread of COVID-19," said planning committee chair Doug Bell.
“We are in the same situation this year and have some catching up to do in terms of participation numbers so we can hit our fundraising target to assist the Kordyban Lodge with its annual operating expenses."
A community concert and barbecue, featuring local musicians, food trucks and an artisan market, will be held the day before, on Sat., Sept. 18, at the Northern Lights Estate Winery orchard. There will also be a silent auction and door prizes.
Parking is limited at the orchard, but there will be a shuttle service between the site and Pacific Western Brewery, where people will also be able to park and get safely to and from the event. Donations will go toward the total amount raised for the Kordyban Lodge.
On the day of the climb, teams and individuals will be assigned a "time to climb” between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Each time slot will be a half hour and limited to a maximum of 50 participants.
The format was introduced in 2020 to reduce the number of people climbing the cutbanks at one time and using this format again will ensure participants have plenty of space to move at their own pace and take a break if needed.
Although the Climb for Cancer was pushed to August in 2020, almost $40,000 was raised for the Kordyban Lodge, bringing the total amount raised over five years to an amazing $207,000.
2019 was a record year with $65,000 being raised and over 500 people participating.
The goal for this year is $50,000.
All money raised goes toward the cost of operating Kordyban Lodge, which provides an affordable and safe home-away-from-home for cancer patients from the region receiving treatment at the BC Cancer Centre for the North and their families.
You can find out more information and register for the event online.
