The hills weren't quite as alive as they normally are at the Climb for Cancer each year but that didn't change the spirit of the event.
The fifth annual event officially started today (Aug. 8) under a different format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020 version has each team schedule a time to climb to keep social distancing protocols in place with the event taking place over two weekends:
- Aug. 8 and 9
- Aug. 15 and 16
“Large events won’t be permitted until we move into Phase 4 of B.C.’s Restart Plan, but the Kordyban Lodge continues to require support to keep providing a much-needed service to cancer patients from out of town receiving cancer treatment in Prince George,” Planning Committee Chair Doug Bell says as the original event was postponed in March.
“We’ve worked hard as a Planning Committee to ensure the Climb for Cancer goes ahead in a way that keeps everyone’s safety top of mind.”
Volunteers are stationed at the bottom of the hill to greet teams, provide instructions for their climb, receive donations, and take a picture of each team.
Donations by teams that are climbing, or those who are not comfortable participating, can make donations to the Climb for Cancer online.
The Kordyban Lodge's yearly operating budget is around $1-million and donations are relied upon to help cover the costs associated with providing a safe and affordable home-away-from-home for people from central and northern B.C. communities that are needing cancer treatment in Prince George.
More than 800 guests are hosted each year.
The goal for this year is to raise $30,000.
Since the start of the event in 2015, $172,000 has been raised by the event, including $65,000 from 2019.
