WINNIPEG – The annual Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon raises funds for brain cancer this year and one marathoner has raised the most money in the history of the event.
About 600 people are registered for the sold-out race, which is in its eleventh year. The annual event is partnering with the Canadian Cancer Society and all funds raised go to The Canada Brain Research Fund– a cause that hits close to home for Joanne Schiewe.
Schiewe, 34, is a marathoner and Ironman triathlete. She was also diagnosed with a stage 4 glioblastoma brain tumor on Feb. 3.
“It’s a recent diagnosis and I was just trying to leverage what I can, while I can,” she said.
READ MORE: Proceeds from WPS Half Marathon going to brain cancer research
Schiewe set up a fundraising page which gives people the option to help her reach her fundraising goal for the marathon and leave comments after they donate.
The comments people leave have really been helping her cope, she said.
“It’s something that helps me get through my day,” said Schiewe. “Most of the time I’m fine, but there are definitely some tough moments. When I hit my refresh page – and seeing the numbers climb and the new comments – it’s a lot of people that are either from my hometown or people that I train with on a regular basis. It really lifts me up and it’s been a huge part of the last couple of weeks.”
Not only has Schiewe received an overwhelming amount of support, she’s also received a record number of donations.
“I didn’t expect that at all. I started with a $500 goal,” said Schiewe. “And it all started as a joke that I was going to shave half of my head, so I can show my scars off to my friends. We just joked that we were going to charge a $5 cover and see what we could do.”
READ MORE: Marathon racers run for a cure
Schiewe said she and her friends raised $2500 during night she shaved her head and it all continued from there.
WPS Half Marathon race director, Nick Paulet said the previous fundraising record was $12,500, which Schiewe has surpassed with over $13,000. Each donation will be matched dollar for dollar by Brain Canada.
“People in my hometown found out about it and it kind of hits home because there’s a few other people dealing with brain tumors back there as well,” said Schiewe.
The WPS Half Marathon starts at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 3. The race runs through the St. James area, around Portage Avenue at Moray Street.
To donate to Joanne, visit her Running Room fundraising page.
For more information on the WPS Half Marathon, visit wpshalfmarathon.ca.
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