Hart Togman, 24, and Adam McClare, 26, have always enjoyed hiking and the outdoors – but last year, they took their passion for climbing to new heights by raising funds and awareness for cancer through an event called Summit for SickKids.
“We wanted to do more for cancer research, so we took a hobby we both enjoyed to create a unique event,” Hart said. “We didn’t want to do a stereotypical run for the cure.”
Last year, Hart and Adam climbed Mount Rainier in Washington, raising $15,000 for SickKids in the process. The money was donated to the Haematology/Oncology Department at SickKids and the Cancer Genetics Program.
“It was important that our event forced us to challenge ourselves both mentally and physically,” Adam said. “Both Hart and I have watched family members go through cancer, so we wanted to symbolize the struggle and challenges faced by those dealing with the disease.”
This year, they’ve set their sights on the 19,347 foot Mount Cotopaxi in Ecuador. For both Adam and Hart, the decision to give to SickKids was personal.
“My mother was diagnosed with cancer when I was three years old, and Hart and I both have a mutual friend who underwent treatment at SickKids,” Adam said. “SickKids has a huge research institute and we wanted to make a difference not only for children currently undergoing treatment, but also to fund new methods of treatment, and ideally, prevention.”
Two years ago, Hart watched his cousin go through cancer treatment at SickKids and saw first-hand the compassionate care the staff at SickKids provide. It helped inform their decision on where to allocate the funds raised from their climb.
“We decided to donate funds to the Cancer Genetics Program,” Hart said. “It’s relatively new and has limited funding, so our relatively small contribution can make a huge difference for these doctors and researchers and future generations of children with cancer.”
Adam and Hart hope to raise $20,000 this year for Summit for SickKids. They are holding a fundraiser called “A Night at the Summit” on Thursday, November 17, which features hors d’oeuvres, a DJ, dancing, a silent auction and more.
To learn more about Summit for SickKids, visit Hart and Adam’s website and Facebook page.
How many entrances does your home have? I’m sure it pales in comparison to the home of a slender-tailed meerkat.
The slender-tailed meerkat can have up to 70 entrances to its underground home. And they can be found in Canada – in the African Rainforest area at the Toronto Zoo, that is.
You can visit the slender-tailed meerkats at the Toronto Zoo as part of Walk for the Children, an event in support of the Herbie Fund. The Herbie Fund fundraises to bring children from around the world to The Hospital for Sick Children to receiving life-altering and life-saving care.
By attending the walk on October 23, 2011, you will enjoy an adventurous walk through the Zoo’s Indo-Malaya and African Rainforest areas, culminating with lunch, prizes and entertainment at the Savanna Picnic site. You’ll receive a passport that will be stamped at each exciting location.
Start your fundraising now. Register online and create your own personal fundraising page. Encourage your friends and families to do the walk with you! Time is running out so get started by visiting: www.herbiefund.com.
Did you know? Two-toed sloths give birth while hanging upside down. In true sloth form they are lazy and let gravity do all the work.
The two-toed sloths at the Toronto Zoo, Mom “Tania” and Dad “Kosmo,” just had a brand new baby. They’ve been keeping it hidden though so the sex is still unknown. You can see them and much more by taking part in the Walk for the Children at the Toronto Zoo on October 23, 2011.
The walk supports the Herbie Fund, which brings children from around the world to The Hospital for Sick Children to receiving life-altering and life-saving care. Just think: a short walk around the grounds of the Zoo will help children travel to SickKids to receive medical treatments not available in their home countries.
Walkers will receive a passport that will be stamped at each exciting Zoo location. Once the trail has been completed, each participant will get a gift bag full of goodies! There is also a lunch, prizes and entertainment.
Groups or individuals can register online and set up their own fundraising page. To sign up and start collecting pledges or for more information, please visit: www.herbiefund.com.