The lemonade stands on Nick Geddes' street might have shut down but the neighbourhood is still stepping up to help the young BMX star in his battle with leukemia.
A neighbour told Nick's mother Lisa Geddes about the Sears Great Canadian Run from 麻豆社国产to Whistler on Aug. 27 and she figured it would be a great way to support her son during his trying times.
"One of my neighbours across the street, one of her sons idolizes Nick and wanted to do something besides lemonade stands to raise money," she said. "She saw the Great Canadian Run booth at the Whistler Half Marathon and I said to myself, 'I can do this.'"
The Sears Great Canadian Run is an inaugural event that will see runners, either solo or in teams, travel either 70 or 80 kilometres from 麻豆社国产to Whistler Creekside along the Sea to Sky Trail. The event was designed to help raise money for children's cancer research, with runs also taking place in Ontario and Quebec.
Nick, a well-established BMXer, recently was the inspiration behind the 麻豆社国产BMX Club's Relay for Life event back in May and reached out to the organizers of the Sears Great Canadian Run.
"He wrote a letter about his diagnosis and what went on with him to help encourage people to donate," Lisa said. "He thought it was important to give back and increase awareness because a lot of people still don't understand that children can get cancer."
Representatives from the event were pleased to get Nick's help in getting the word out about the run.
"Nick has been really wonderful," said Sara Forbes, the communications manager for the running event. "He's shared his story with all of the B.C. participants and a lot of people were touched by his story."
After suffering an injury at the Sea Otter Classic bike race in May earlier this year, it was discovered that Nick had leukemia. His mother said he's in a lot of pain but is fighting through.
"He had his bone marrow transplant on Aug. 9 and he's in a pretty grim phase," Lisa said. "It's pretty brutal what the body goes through. They destroy all his bone marrow to make room for the new marrow so until the new marrow starts kicking and producing the blood cells he needs, he's at ground zero. He's weak, vomity, nauseous and in a lot of pain after the intense radiation and chemotherapy prior to the transplant."
Lisa said he should be in the hospital for the next 100 to 150 days but the support she's received from the Sea to Sky community has been inspiring. Her team has raised $2,300 and is leading the way for all B.C. teams.
"I was pretty amazed by the response," she said. "People have been really generous and all the encouraging words mean a lot to him."
Geddes team will be hosting a fundraiser at Creekbread Pizza on Tuesday (Aug. 23) at 7 p.m. Three dollars from each pizza sold will go towards the team's fundraising totals.
Those unable to make it out to Creekbread can also donate online by visiting www.searsgreatcanadianrun.ca.
