Over 120 people and their dogs gathered in Guelph at York Park this past Saturday, September 6, for the first ever Guelph Smiling Blue Skies (SBS) Walk to End Canine Cancer. While donations are still trickling in the unofficial fundraising total is approximated at an amazing $20,500!
From left to right: Robin Van Alstine, Dr. Elizabeth Stone, Christopher Beckett, Amanda Raymond, Dr. Doreen Houston, Rayner and Carmie.
Originally planned in memory of her dog Charger, event organizer Amanda Raymond hopes the Guelph walk will inspire others to help in the fight against canine cancer.
Congratulations goes out to the top three pledge earners:
1st place (Illustrated Beginnings Custom Portrait): Elizabeth Czenczek
2nd place (College Heights handmade bench): Catherine McCullough
3rd place (Ren’s gift basket): Kew Beach Veterinary Hospital
Special mention also went to OVC Pet Trust Board member Dr. Doreen Houston and her “Furry Friend” Rayner. “Doreen raised $3,290 for the Smiling Blue Skies Walk to End Canine Cancer Guelph…. her help was pivotal in today’s success” says the Smiling Blue Skies Facebook page.
Participants also included members of the Guelph community and many faculty, staff and students from the Ontario Veterinary College and the University of Guelph including teams from the OVC dean’s office, the Animal Cancer Centre and Pathobiology.
Kerry and Kevin Keegan walked with their dog Lexie and Kerry’s mother’s dog Oliver. The Keegans lost their dog, Hailey, last December and when they saw the Guelph walk advertised at their veterinarian’s office, they thought participating was the right thing to do. “We’re 100 per cent behind this cause,” says Kerry.
Since its inception in 2001, the Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund has raised over $1.4 million dollars. 100% of these funds have been used to support OVC Pet Trust’s quest to find more and better ways to deal with and understand the complex and devastating disease of cancer. Contributions will not only benefit our pets, knowledge gained will also be shared with human cancer research, ultimately improving the health of all species, including our own.
“We are grateful to Suzi Beber, founder of Smiling Blue Skies and to community organizers like Amanda for their dedication and support,” says Kim Robinson, Managing Director OVC Pet Trust, “It is through their tireless efforts that we can raise awareness and fund meaningful discoveries that are happening at the Ontario Veterinary College.”
See more photos from the walk on the OVC Pet Trust Facebook page.