By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban
The 8th edition of the “Course pour la Compassion” run that took place at Valois Park in Pointe-Claire last Saturday raised $307,500 for the Teresa Dellar palliative care residence. The run began at 9:00 a.m. at the park with 730 participants. Champions for Life Foundation Founder and Ambassador for the Course de la Compassion and former national Taekwondo champion David Arsenault led attendees into a fun warm up activity. Arsenault was joined by former National track and field athlete Steve O’Brien. Maya Johnson hosted the on-stage announcements and presentations.
The run kicked off at 10:00 a.m. with runners leaving from the north-side of the park starting towards Belmont Street. Participants were guided throughout the neighbourhood by volunteers at multiple stops along the way cheering on the runners. Two course set-ups, one for 1km run participants and the second for 5km run participants, with both loops leading back to the south side of the park from Donegani Avenue.
In the park, snacks and beverages were served and participants along with volunteers and supporters of the cause mingled until late afternoon. Elected official in attendance included the MNA for Robert-Baldwin Brigitte Garceau, the MNA for Jacques-Cartier Gregory Kelley, Nelligan MNA Monsef Derraji, St-Laurent MNA Marwah Rizqy, Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas, Pointe-Claire City Councillor Cynthia Homan, Kirkland Mayor Michel Gibson, Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis, Dorval Mayor Marc Doret and DDO City Councillor Errol Johnson.
Three-time Olympian in artistic swimming and gold medalist in the World Aquatics Championship, Jacqueline Simoneau participate in the race alongside her grandmother, a former caregiver and ongoing supporter of the residence. The previous day, senior residents from the Cambridge residence along with some of their family members participated in a walk-a-thon raising $13,500 towards the total sums collected.
“I love the inclusiveness of this event and express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who participated. Today also marked an important milestone as this event has now passed the 1-million-dollar mark in cumulative funds raised since the beginning!” Dale Weil, Executive Director of the Teresa Dellar Residence stated. “Our supporters, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and devoted colleagues are the cornerstone of our ability to sustain the delivery of the high-quality palliative care that our patients and their families so deserve. We cannot thank them enough.”
Major sponsors of the event included presenting sponsor Pfizer Canada, the City of Pointe-Claire, Charles River Laboratories Inc., as well as Uniprix Sainte-Anne and Lachine. n