Richmond Review • Page 11
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
community
All-day fitness event works up a sweat for cancer research The BC Cancer Foundation raised $360,000 for cancer research at its annaul Workout to Conquer Cancer event Saturday at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Five hundred people signed up for the day-long fitness challenge to take part in the most meaningful workout of their lives. Inspired to participate after recently being diagnosed with breast cancer, Carolyn Atwal powered her way through several fitness challenges including Zumba, retro arerobics, yoga, and boxing. The athletic mother with a toddler was diagnosed six months ago while in early Carolyn Atwal and her husband Manprit Atwal (centre) were stages of pregnancy with her second among some 500 individuals who worked up a sweat at the BC child. “I’m young, and you don’t expect to Cancer Foundation.
get cancer at this age,” says the 36-yearold, who is committed to seeing her kids grow up and ridding her body of the disease. Atwal registered for Workout to Conquer Cancer because she wanted to “do something” empowering. As someone who works-out regularly she thought the event was a great fit. Through her network of family and friends she raised $2,700 for cancer research. “Hopefully in the next year I’ll be cancer free. I just want to live for my babies,” says Atwal. In three years, Workout to Conquer Cancer has raised over $1 million, providing researchers at the BC Cancer Agency with the platforms, people and power to rapidly respond to areas of research with
the most promise in improving cancer outcomes. “With every crunch and lunge, we witnessed a powerful expression of the commitment we share in ensuring more and more British Columbians can say three important words: I’m still here,” said Douglas Nelson, president and chief executive officer of the BC Cancer Foundation as he thanked and congratulated participants. The dollars raised at the event will be put to work supporting projects of the highest priority, including the development of new therapeutics to help in the effort to stop metastatic disease in its tracks. For more information visit workouttoconquercancer.ca. —Erin Boe
Quake Cottage is coming to Richmond
Richmond residents and businesses can experience the realities of an 8.0-magnitude earthquake when the Quake Cottage rolls into the City to help mark Emergency Preparedness Week on Friday, May 8 at Minoru Park. A small mobile trailer outfitted to resemble a typical workspace, the Quake Cottage demonstrates the need to proactively assess and secure various items in our homes, schools, and workplaces. Inside the Quake Cottage, a simulated major earthquake illustrates the importance of securing cabinets, furniture, flat screen TVs, refrigerators, cabinet doors, and a lot more. Up to three people at a time will be able to sit down and then feel and see what happens to their environment when an 8.0-magnitude earthquake occurs. After experiencing acclaim across the U.S., the Quake Cottage is making its first visit to Canada and is visiting a number of Lower Mainland cities throughout Emergency Preparedness Week, which is from May 3 to 9. The Quake Cottage will be set up in Minoru Park from noon-9 p.m. on May 8 as part of Richmond’s annual Move for Health Festival. In addition to the Quake Cottage, residents will be able to get emergency preparedness information and tools from Richmond Emergency Programs, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Fortis BC, the BC Earthquake Alliance and Richmond Fire Rescue. Richmond residents will also be able to sign up to receive direct voice or text messages about local emergencies to their phones or emails through the new Richmond BC Alert emergency notification system, which is being launched to coincide with Emergency Preparedness Week. For info on emergency preparedness, visit www. city.richmond.bc.ca/safety/ prepare.
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