Run Up for Down Syndrome 2015

It was a record setting year for Run Up for Down Syndrome, as the 19th edition of the event proved to be the biggest and best yet, with new heights reached in the number of participants, corporate sponsorships, personal donations and net dollars raised.

It was a record setting year for Run Up for Down Syndrome, as the 19th edition of the event proved to be the biggest and best yet, with new heights reached in the number of participants, corporate sponsorships, personal donations and net dollars raised.

The 800 runners who came out to walk hand in hand with those on the lifetime journey of Down syndrome enjoyed a hot, early summer day. Participants ran, walked, strolled and scootered their way around the 5 km and 1.5 km courses with smiles on their faces and a desire to celebrate the people in their lives with Down syndrome.

Run Up for Down Syndrome is hosted by the Down Syndrome Research Foundation, a Burnaby-based organization that empowers individuals with Down syndrome to reach their full potential as contributing members of the community. In the weeks leading up to the event, runners worked hard to collect donations from friends and family.

All told, approximately $85,000 (net) was raised for DSRF's research and educational programs. More than 800 donors gave generously to the cause, while nearly 100 volunteers made the fun family event possible with their efforts.

Run Up for Down Syndrome was sponsored by more than 30 local businesses and organizations, including Lead Sponsor Euro-Rite Cabinets. Euro-Rite showed their commitment to the event by entering an event record 165-person team and raising over $32,000 in donations.

With fundraisers receiving a free raffle ticket for every $50 they raised, there were more than 1,200 entries in the Run Up Raffle. Ann Marie Kelly took home the grand prize of two flights anywhere in WestJet's world, while Angela Toth won the second prize of a Romance Package from the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort.

We introduced a brand new Classroom Challenge this year, with Mitchell Cunningham winning a class pizza party from Boston Pizza. Congratulations, Mitchell!

2015 also marked the return of the Run Up for Down Syndrome Corporate Challenge, in which business-based teams competed to see who could make the biggest impact for individuals with Down syndrome. Euro-Rite claimed the Fundraising Award, while Quicktech Computer Consulting brought home the Spirit Award.

Along with Euro-Rite, WestJet, Delta Grand Okanagan and Boston Pizza, the Run was also sponsored by Big Kahuna Sauce Company, Callaghan Photography, Complete Print Service, CTV, Encorp Return-It, Fly Over Canada, Full Moon Rentals, Impact Magazine, Imperial Trophies, Kins Farm Market, Kensington Safeway, Kintec, Krispy Kreme, Lago Apparel, Memphis Mike's BBQ, Mercer, Metro Printers, The Newsleader, Old Dutch Foods, Par-T-Perfect, Penske, Pioneer Distributors, Quicktech, Rainbow Ice Cream, Yvamara Rodriguez - 24 Fit, Science World British Columbia, Sign-a-Rama, Simon Fraser University, Skechers, Starbucks, Vancouver Canadians and Woodhouse & Associates Inc.

To every business, participant and donor who contributed to the success of this year's event: thank you again for empowering individuals with Down syndrome. See you next year when we celebrate 20 years of Run Up for Down Syndrome!

DSRF depends on the generous, ongoing financial support of individuals and organizations who believe in our mission to help individuals with Down syndrome to reach their full potential. Please consider partnering with us with a monthly donation of $21 through the Triple-21 program. Thank you for your investment!

Sponsors