Rupert Potter

“Why am I doing this?” I ask.

There’s no-one listening of course – it’s a private conversation with myself, the sort that people running on their own often have I suppose. My legs have turned to warm lumps of tissue paper, my lungs heave and burn like bellows cast into a fire, and I’m sure I have an aneurism somewhere waiting to go.

As if this wasn’t enough, I’m now coming up to the hard part – the steep endless slope from Kits up Fourth to Blanca. If you’ve driven by and seen a red faced balding bloke who looks like he’s barely moving, that’s me.

As I contemplate my situation, a couple of Vancouverite ladies with pendulum pony tails swing past, going in the same direction, chatting, perspiration free. They seem to be sharing friendship, taking in the air, enjoying the burgeoning spring along the beach.

They must have forgotten they’re running. As well as reinforcing my own feebleness, this helpfully reminds me why I am doing this, or at least why I started.

View from The Seawall. A popular running and walking route in Vancouver.

Arriving in Vancouver last July, I was struck by how magnificent the setting is – the mountains of the north shore, Stanley Park, the forests on the endowment lands, the beaches running around the inlet. I compared it with the less magnificent contours around my waist and decided I should be exercising it in it.

I began with short outings, exploring and getting lost. And I found, occasionally, I could actually take in my surroundings and appreciate the journey, so started to push a little further afield.

In a fit of misplaced enthusiasm, I then entered my name for the BMO Vancouver Marathon on 5 May. I had always wanted to run a marathon (no idea why – it’s just one of those things to be done). My self-imposed training schedule quickly made me realise I would not be ready in time, so almost as quickly I changed to a Half (anxious not to let the goal die totally).

In the process, I decided that if I was going to suffer for more than two hours, I should raise some awareness of a valuable local charity – the Vancouver Foundation’s Youth Homeless Initiative. Please consider donating directly. You may not know me personally, or those benefiting, but your support will make a real difference.

So as I turn the corner onto Fourth and Hill (as I now call it), I remember what this is all about: a) I am incredibly fortunate to be in this most beautiful of places; b) the contours around my waist are not yet flat like the British Fens where I lived, but they less resemble interlinking blancmanges; c) I’m raising money and awareness for a remarkable charity; and d) I’m nearing home – phew.

Epilogue/Thanks: I would like to pay tribute to all those affected and involved in the events in Boston earlier this month – they will always inspire people like me to keep going; to thank all the organisers and volunteers at the BMO Vancouver Marathon for making it possible; and to wish good luck to everyone running – full, half, 8 km or kids – why-ever you’re there. I’ll try to smile as you jog past (the only way you’d actually be following me is on Twitter @RupertPotterFCO.

Joanne Gassman

Who wouldn’t love to get up at 5:45 a.m. during the weekdays to run around the Stanley Park Seawall?  Well, the second part is true at least – the seawall run is one of my favourite parts of the day in training for the BMO Vancouver Marathon’s half event on Sunday May 5^th.  I’d even say the early morning run with some BMO colleagues is getting to be much more enjoyable with the lighter days.

Unless you’re training to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which I’m not, being committed to completing your run feeling good is more important than how fast you finish.

Last year was the first time on the new point-to-point course, starting in Queen Elizabeth Park and ending downtown. It’s really one of the most beautiful courses I’ve run – anywhere.  You can savour the cherry tree-lined streets and take in ocean and mountain views – what could be better!  And having volunteers and spectators along the route to cheer us on is incredible.  It really does make a difference to my energy level.

This year I’m looking forward to the new family-friendly Street Festival after I cross the finish line; fingers crossed! There will be lots to celebrate and enjoy on Hastings Street between Bute and Thurlow Streets, including the BMO Kids’ Zone, musicians, food vendors and entertainers.

See you either on the course or at the finish line celebration!

RUN4HOPE

I have been a runner for many years. When not running, I teach dance, movement, yoga, and theatre to children and a few grown-ups. In my professional life, I see the positive results of using our bodies every day in my students and myself.

Needless to say, my body and my ability to both use and control it, is infinitely important to me, and always has been. Parkinson’s disease robs people of their ability to do just this, affecting their ability to control and direct their movement.

Parkinson’s disease has touched my family, friends, and neighbors more than I could have imagined over the past 10 years.

My father’s dear friend passed away from the disease.

My uncle, a former professional ballet and contemporary dancer, and current artistic director of a Post-Secondary Contemporary Dance School was diagnosed with the disease. Despite his progressing symptoms he continues to not only hold his position as Artistic Director of the school, but also teach every day and perform in school company productions. He has not let the disease, despite its effects on his body and movement, destroy his passion or dedication to his art.

About 6 years after my uncle’s diagnosis, my best friend of 21 years mother was diagnosed with the disease. An avid field hockey player and one of the most active and healthful people I know, it came as a shock to learn she had been diagnosed. Her diagnosis came at a very difficult time personally in her life, and her ability to carry on continue on in a proactive and self-sufficient manner despite incredible physical and emotional hurdles has been a constant source of inspiration for me over the ensuing years. She participates in the Parkinson’s SuperWalk every year and is one of the top fundraisers.

Lastly, a neighbor of mine suffers from the disease. All though I do not know them well, seeing them struggle daily as their condition deteriorates is both inspiring and terribly difficult to watch.

I hope to raise $1500 for TeamFox. I will rely mainly on personal donations from family, friends, and my community of students and families. I am currently looking for a restaurant in my area willing to team up with me to host an event to raise funds.

In an effort to boost my fundraising efforts, if I reach $2000, I will run the BMO in a tutu!! As a nod to my little dancers who inspire me every day at work.

I am training for the BMO Vancouver Marathon using the OWN IT Marathon Plan from the wonderful book, Train Like A Mother, by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea (who is running the BMO this year!) of the blog anothermotherrunner.com. I plan to break 4:00 hours, with the lofty goal of inching at least closer to the Boston Qualifying time!

To support my RUN4HOPE go to my site here

RUN4HOPE

My career has involved working with youth at the secondary level in Vancouver.  As an educator, I am aware of the many challenges teens face today as they develop into young adults.  I also appreciate the devastating impact suicide has on friends and family as I lost a nephew at age 25 to suicide 4 years ago.  It is more than apparent to me how important it is to heighten awareness in our communities around this issue.   I am committed to helping in any way I can to prevent the youth in our society from feeling  alone and offering ways in which they can  reach  out to get help for their feelings of desperation.  After our family lost my nephew, Matthew, I thought that I could help by volunteering to take a position on the Board of the Josh Platzer Society, thereby supporting youth in my local communities.  This grassroots society was started in 2000 by the parents of Josh Platzer, a Vancouver student at Point Grey Secondary, who took his life in 1999.  Josh’s mother Jude does numerous talks to teens in the lower mainland each year as part of Guidance and Planning 10 courses. She also speaks to many adults who are seeking information or may be in a state of grieving from losing a loved one. The family offers a scholarship to Grade 12 students each year and the society has been able to fund the posters ‘Silence Kills’ found in the halls of schools and in transit buses and shelters throughout the lower mainland and in smaller communities throughout BC.

www.teensuicideprevention.org  provides updated information to educate youth and adults.  I also joined a run/walk clinic with the goal of running the same Seattle Marathon event as my nephew had done prior to his death. With much trepidation, I ran it in November of 2009.  Since then I have completed 5 half-marathons.  It was after the Victoria Marathon event in October of 2012 and the tragic loss of Port Coquitlam student, Amanda Todd that I came up with the idea of joining together running, youth,   and awareness of this issue.  This is when I approached the Vancouver Marathon Society to inquire how a small charity could   participate in such a wonderful event.  It was then that I heard about the possibility of becoming an Official Charity and the 2013 RUN4HOPE.  It is my hope-that the 25 volunteers that we will provide to help out at a water station, the runners who commit to run for our society, and the opportunity to spread awareness of this issue through the network of the Vancouver Marathon & all facets of social media will have a positive effect on bringing this issue forward and prevent the loss of wonderful people who have a lifetime of potential they have yet to realize.  When we listen to the flood of media coverage after incidences of suicide there is always reference made to the importance of education.  The challenge is to make the education for youth and parents ongoing and accessible when it is needed most.  This is why this issue HAS to become more visible. We can do this AND engage youth and adults who often are at a loss of knowing how to help.  In supporting a youth-friendly healthy activity like a charity running event everyone can win!

To support my RUN4HOPE go to http://www.teensuicideprevention.org/vancouvermarathon/sample-page/sharee/

Heifer International Canada

Heifer Canada is proud to be a charity partner of the 2013 BMO Vancouver Marathon. Heifer works with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. By providing families with a hand-up, not a hand out, we empower them to turn lives of poverty into self-reliance and hope.

In 2008, Francois Jean Renel received a beautiful chocolate brown cow from Heifer International.

“I named her Patience because I have a lot of patience with her,” he said through a translator.

Francois gave his cow good water to drink and pasture to graze and soon she became pregnant and gave him a beautiful calf. Before long he was able to milk Patience. Every 15 days he is paid 1,500 Gourdes ($37.50) for the milk, money which he used to complete his secondary education.

Francois lives in the small community of Fort-Royal in the Petit Goave region of Haiti. There is no secondary school in the community, and when he was younger his father did not have funds to pay for him to finish his school in the nearby city. But with the milk Patience provided, Francois was able to return to school and now, at age 30, he has a certificate which will allow him to go to university.

In time, it is his dream that the milk from Patience and her offspring will earn Francois enough money to attend university. But it is not just his life that Patience has changed. In addition to giving away Patience’s first offspring, every day Francois gives his neighbors a little of the milk he collects.

“If I didn’t have Patience I couldn’t help other people,” he said. “So Patience helps me to help other people.”

When a family in Haiti has a cow, there’s a glass of rich milk for each child to drink before heading off to school each morning. Better yet, every gift multiplies, as a healthy cow can produce a calf every year, every gift is passed on and eventually helps an entire community—and entire country—move from poverty to self-reliance. Now that’s a gift worth giving.

By participating in the BMO Vancouver Marathon, you will help others in Canada and around the world like Francois Jean Renel. Help us to end poverty and hunger in a sustainable way. Visit www.heifercanada.org to learn more about our projects.

Be a Charity Runner for Heifer International Canada

Run and raise funds for Heifer International Canada and enjoy an exciting RUN4HOPE running package!

• FREE race registration
• FREE training clinic with the Running Room
• RUN4HOPE tech training shirt
• RUN4HOPE express line package pick up at the expo
• RUN4HOPE express line gear check at the start line
• RUN4HOPE express line gear pick up at the finish line
• RUN4HOPE start line warm up tent

As a Charity Runner, you commit to raising a minimum of $1000 dollars for Heifer International Canada, and will receive fundraising tools and support directly from the charity to help make your fundraising a success. Take your running to another level by making a big impact for our community!

Learn more here

Become a Charity Runner today

Run For Us!

Heart and Stroke Foundation

When you run the BMO Vancouver Marathon this spring, your steps can pave the way to a healthier life for you and for others across BC.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation is proud to be a beneficiary of the 2013 BMO Vancouver Marathon, and together with your support, we can help give Canadians longer, fuller lives.

Every seven minutes, heart disease and stroke take the life of one Canadian… too soon.

That’s why the Heart and Stroke Foundation funds research, advocacy and education and awareness to stop Canadians from losing valuable years of life and vitality to heart disease and stroke – and to help them Make Health Last.

Vern Parton had a stroke just one year ago. If you were to meet him today, you would never know he is a stroke survivor – and you would not have a sense of the painstaking recovery he has made over the past year.

Vern was lucky his wife recognized the signs of stroke in time to get to the hospital and receive a lifesaving drug for stroke, called tPA.

Heart and Stroke Foundation researchers helped pioneer tPA, a drug which can not only save lives from stroke, but can dramatically reduce the impact it has and the length of the path to recovery, if received in time.

By supporting the Heart and Stroke Foundation, you can help people like Vern. With your support the Heart and Stroke Foundation continues to fund research to discover new and ever more powerful medical advances and technologies. We also bring critical messages of awareness about warning signs, and about prevention to people in BC. And we create practical tools and advocate for changes in our communities that will make it easier for us all to live healthier, fuller lives.

Be a part of building a better future with healthy lives, free of heart disease and stroke, by fundraising for the Heart and Stroke Foundation when you run the BMO Vancouver Marathon. You can register to pledge raise for the Foundation by registering on our Fit for Heart website Here                                         Together we will Make Health Last.

To learn more about the work of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, visit: www.heartandstroke.bc.ca

Donate to Great Causes

The Heart and Stroke Foundation  does amazing things for our community and the communities they serve. Support them and give back by making a donation during registration. To make additional donations after registration or to invite family and friends to donate, visit our Donate Now page. Thank you for helping to make a great impact for our community!

Donate Now

Run for Change Society

Thanks to the vision of one man, Benji Chu, Run for Change was founded 2010, because he realized the power of running made him feel healthier, happier, more disciplined and that it built up his confidence.  He also felt that a lot of people have challenges and if he shared his experience and passion with  others, they  could benefit from this same sense of empowerment and achievement, so he started Run For Change (RFC) . And he has seen a lot of great results!

RFC works in partnership with Carnegie Community Centre  and it welcomes anyone, especially those living in shelters or recovery shelters, low-income,  and homeless people living in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, to a healthier, more active  lifestyle through regular running/walking.  As well as providing running shoes and running clothes to those that need them, RFC sponsors its participants in local running events, such as the Vancouver Sun Run, as well as it’s own annual 5km Fun Run in August that is free of charge to participants. This annual run provides people with an opportunity to set a goal, and recognizes their achievements by giving out medals, food, t-shirts and an opportunity to win draw prizes, simply by crossing the finish line and making an effort.

Our primary mission is to provide a viable community that supports their path to a better life through the free, regular, running/walking programs and events. RFC aims to be a tool of empowerment that gives participants the opportunity to set goals, build their confidence and make positive life changes. Our secondary mission is to develop role models and mentors from the DTES who can understand the participants’ unique needs and serve as an invaluable network of support.

And there have been some positive changes! Many have set goals and found that being around positive people is up-lifting and that helps make it easier to reach those goals.  Others, whom have suffered with alcohol and drug addiction have found motivation “to keep fired up and keep rolling”  Last year, Run For Change had over 40 walkers and runners finish the Vancouver Sun Run which inspired our runners to enter and complete the BMO half marathon, many of whom are excited about this year’s BMO marathon, as well.  “It’s success to make it!  In the number of years I have been running, I have never made it that far.”  RK

And then there is Brad.  An amazing endurance runner who hopes to promote the awareness of the benefits of the Carnegie Centre and Run For Change through his long distance running.  He is hoping that the great people of Vancouver will support these programs that provide encouragement, positive role models and a helping had to those who need it.

Brad was an aspiring, gifted athlete, but alcohol and drugs led him down a dark path.  At the very young age of  7, he was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning and later he became an uncommitted, disgruntled, pot smoking, alcoholic and gave up on athletics.  Unhappy with the man he became, he wanted to change.  After a rocky two years, he started focussing on more positive ways to better himself and approached Run for Change and asked for their support.  He made the right choice.  He runs regularly with Run for Change.  His passion is running and his goal is to change his life style and be a role model for those around him. For more on Brad’s story, check out our website:  www.runforchange.ca.

Our vision at Run for Change, is to develop a community of people that support and encourage commitment and goal setting through a more active lifestyle, and to recognize the efforts and achievements of participants to empower positive change….one step at a time.

Donate to Great Causes

Run For Change does amazing things for our community and the communities they serve. Support them and give back by making a donation during registration. To make additional donations after registration or to invite family and friends to donate, visit our Donate Now page. Thank you for helping to make a great impact for our community!

Donate Now

Cause We Care Foundation

Being a mother, under any circumstance, can have its challenges.  But being a single mother, with no resources, support or means is not only daunting but physically and emotionally taxing beyond belief. Trying to provide the basics for your children, such as healthy food, bus fare and a safe and affordable place to live is to next impossible when you live in poverty.  In a city as expensive at Vancouver, making ends meet as a single mother is extremely difficult if not impossible.

Cause We Care Foundation was started in an effort to assist single mothers living in poverty in our community. Since our inception, we have provided basic supplies to thousands of needy single mothers and their children in the city of Vancouver and surrounding area.  In addition to providing basic supplies through our annual Supply Drives, we are committed to providing safe, affordable and supportive housing for mothers and their children. We have partnered with the YWCA and are fundraising for the YWCA Cause We Care House, a new 22 unit subsidized housing facility, slated to open in the spring of 2015 in Strathcona area of Vancouver, on top of a new public library.

Finally, we are committed to providing assistance and emergency funds for those that need it most.

One particular woman we helped is Nania.  Nania has an eight year old daughter.  Through various changes in her living circumstances and no support from the father, Nania found herself with her daughter in Vancouver, moving from one unsafe, insect and rodent filled apartment to another, trying to make ends meet.  With much forethought and to provide she and her daughter with a future of financial self-sustainability, Nania went back to school.  Going to school while looking after children and working to cover living expenses and school tuition, is not for the faint of heart.

We at Cause We Care Foundation strive to provide a hand-up rather than a hand-out and last year helped Nania pay her last portion of tuition so she could graduate and become financially independent.  Nania’s story along with what we try to achieve at Cause We Care is summarized in the video below.

When you support Cause We Care Foundation, you are supporting women and children’s potential future; one that provides a more empowered and independent life through opportunities for successful positive change.

For more information, please visit our website at: www.causewecare.org

Donate to Great Causes

Cause We Care Foundation does amazing things for our community and the communities they serve. Support them and give back by making a donation during registration. To make additional donations after registration or to invite family and friends to donate, visit our Donate Now page. Thank you for helping to make a great impact for our community!

Donate Now

Canuck Place Children’s Hospice: Courage Lives Here

It takes courage to run a marathon. Children at Canuck Place live with courage every day. Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is proud to be a RUN4HOPE charity for the 2013 BMO Vancouver Marathon. With the support of our charity runners, we will continue to be able to provide specialized paediatric palliative care for British Columbia kids like Charlie-Anne.

Charlie-Anne was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a serious and debilitating condition that makes daily life a challenge for Charlie-Anne and her parents, Matt and Cherie.

“As parents of a child with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, we feel very fortunate to be on the Canuck Place Program,” said Matt and Cherie.

“It’s a great source of support and respite, especially after long hospital stays with our daughter. Charlie-Anne loves it there as well – she gets to participate in great social activities, play in a comfortable surrounding, and of course, snack on the famous cookies! As a family we feel at ease every time we walk through the doors, and truly think of it as a home while we’re there.”

Cherie is an avid runner and trained for the BMO Vancouver Marathon in 2012.  “Last year, I pushed and amazed myself when I ran the full BMO Vancouver Marathon in honor of Charlie-Anne,” she says.

“Many of my friends, including my amazing long time friend Erin Barclay, a mother of two, a teacher and avid runner, joined our team, ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ and ran in Charlie’s honor as well. It was so amazing to be so supported by my friends and family who are so touched and moved by Charlie. Erin had the dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. She did it! Erin has been training really hard and continues to honor Charlie by using this experience to raise funds for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. I am so proud of her.”

Whether life is measured in days, weeks, or months, children deserve the opportunity to learn, develop and grow.  For children and families across BC, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is a place to go in their greatest time of need. Canuck Place delivers care in the areas of respite, pain and symptom management, end of life and bereavement counseling.

Courage lives at Canuck Place.

Be a Charity Runner for Canuck Place Childrens Hospice

Run and raise funds for Canuck Place and enjoy an exciting RUN4HOPE running package!

• FREE race registration
• FREE training clinic with the Running Room
• RUN4HOPE tech training shirt
• RUN4HOPE express line package pick up at the expo
• RUN4HOPE express line gear check at the start line
• RUN4HOPE express line gear pick up at the finish line
• RUN4HOPE start line warm up tent

As a Charity Runner, you commit to raising a minimum of $1000 dollars for Canuck Place, and will receive fundraising tools and support directly from the charity to help make your fundraising a success. Take your running to another level by making a big impact for our community!

Learn more here

Become a Charity Runner today

Run For Us!

Team In Training is back at the BMO Vancouver Marathon

Sean’s Marathon For Shaelyn (by Zahida Jaffer)

A year after Shaelyn finished treatment, she had a relapse. This time doctors advised that she receive a stem cell transplant, something that was not an option previously due to her young age. No donor match was found within the family so the search for a match through the donor registry took place. Fortunately, an unrelated yet perfect match was found and Shaelyn’s transplant was successful. “It’s amazing to think that there is a young girl somewhere in the UK, perhaps Shaelyn’s own age, who saved my daughter’s life,” Sean says with a smile, acknowledging that advances in medicine have allowed stem cell donation to become a non-invasive process yet a very powerful gift of life to a complete stranger. Canadians can register using the One Match program if they wish to be placed on the donor registry.

And now, with Shaelyn just over 5 years old and healthy, her father Sean has joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s (LLSC) Team In Training to honour her battles with cancer. “It is so inspiring and motivating to get to know everyone on the team, a group of individuals all part of the team because they want to give back and help improve the lives of others.” Sean has committed to raise funds for the Society whose mission is to find a cure for all blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

With Team In Training, Sean plans to complete his first full marathon at the BMO Vancouver Marathon, with his wife and two daughters there to greet him at the finish line. Training has begun and has been a great experience so far.

“Another catalyst for me to join Team In Training was when I completed the RBC GranFondo Whistler last September. It was a difficult ride and I saw many TNT teammates on course. The camaraderie, the training they had received, and the funds they had raised really inspired me; that’s the way to train for a hard race. Being part of the Team now myself, I feel very supported. With coaches, mentors, and clinic speakers, I see there’s a huge investment in our success, both for the training and the fundraising.”

If you see Sean on the course on race day in his purple TNT jersey, be sure to give him a cheer.

Go Team!

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Relentless for a cure, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s Team In Training is the largest and most successful endurance sports training program for charity. Runners, walkers, cyclists, and triathletes of all levels have the opportunity to challenge their fitness and participate in a world-class endurance event like the BMO Vancouver Marathon, while making a true difference in the lives of 100,000 Canadians living with blood cancers.

Sign up. Get involved. Achieve YOUR goals with Team In Training.

Sign up to Participate

To find out more, visit www.teamintraining.ca or call 604-733-2873 or toll free 1-866-547-5433.