The Reddy For a Cure team will be stepping out in the Great Strides walk that's taking place in New Westminster this weekend.
The walk, which is organized by the Cystic Fibrosis chapter of Greater Vancouver, is held in support of cystic fibrosis research. It's being held at Queen's Park on Sunday, May 27, with activities starting at 10 a.m. near the band shell and the walk beginning at 11 a.m.
New Westminster resident Janet Brine notes that many participants form teams in support or memory of specific CF patients.
She invites residents to join the Reddy For a Cure team, in honour of her daughter Eva Markvoort.
Markvoort, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 25, was born and raised in New Westminster. She attended Herbert Spencer Elementary, Richard McBride Elementary and New Westminster Secondary schools.
While her life was cut short because of cystic fibrosis, Markvoort lived life to the fullest. She enjoyed a variety of activities including musical theatre, conflict resolution, Girl Guides and youth support programs.
"Eva also represented our city as Miss New Westminster in 2001 and was a recipient of the Queen's Jubilee medal in 2002," said a press release about the Great Strides walk. "Eva's life was cut short at the age of 25 by cystic fibrosis, but not before she was able to develop a lasting legacy that promotes organ donation and support for crucial research that will lead to a cure for cystic fibrosis, the most common fatal genetic disease in Canada."
According to the press release, Cystic Fibrosis Canada supports the Great Strides annual walk and local chapters across the country organize walks as fundraisers and as reminders of the challenges that cystic fibrosis patients and their families face every day. May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.
This year's goal is to raise $200,000 at the walk in Queen's Park and $3.2 million across Canada.
Registration is available at the site beginning at 10 a.m., or online at www.cysticfibrosis.ca/ GreatStrides.
MARKET SEASON
The Royal City Farmers Market is kicking off its summer season with a fundraiser at Wild Rice.
The market's annual fundraiser helps generate revenue to keep stall fees low and attract high-quality vendors to the weekly summer market. The fifth annual fundraiser is taking place on Thursday, May 31 at 6 p.m. at Wild Rice at River Market.
"Like previous years, ticket holders get a meal and a beverage, and the very talented Chef Todd Bright has developed unique dishes just for the fundraiser that feature some of the best our vendors have to offer," said an email from market manager Jen Arbo. "Ticket holders may choose from barbecue pork with steamed vegetables and jasmine rice, mushrooms with crispy tofu on jasmine rice (vegan), or chicken with red peppers, snow peas, and bok choy on Shanghai noodles."
Wild Rice is also creating a seasonally inspired cocktail to pair with the meals, and it is included in the ticket price, but attend-ees can opt for a draft beer, highball, red or white wine, or non-alcoholic beverage if they prefer. The fundraiser also includes a silent auction and 50/50 draw, featuring goods donated by local businesses and farmers market vendors.
Tickets are $24 and are available at www.rcfm.ca or by calling 778-928-7236.
The Royal City Farmers Market summer season gets underway on Thursday, June 7 at Tipperary Park at Fourth Street and Royal Avenue, next to city hall. The market runs on Thursdays until Oct. 4 from 3 to 7 p.m.
BOOK SALE SET
A local student is holding a second-hand book sale to raise funds for the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
Minnie Jiang, a Grade 11 student at New Westminster Secondary School, is coordinator of Knowledge for Life 2012, which is a for the B.C. branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada. The fundraiser is taking place on June 2 and 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Highgate Mall, 7155 Kingsway in Burnaby.
"I learned about what it's like to have kidney disease from a former teacher who was a kidney patient," Minnie said. "So when I came to New West Secondary, I decided to help raise funds for the Kidney Foundation."
Minnie coordinated an art exhibition/fundraiser last year and wanted to continue her work as a "kidney hero" and organized Knowledge for Life 2012 this year.
Knowledge for Life 2012 is a second-hand book sale, which is selling books donated by the New Westminster Public Library. The event also includes a silent auction and barbecue.
Send Around Town ideas to Theresa, tmcmanus@ royalcityrecord.com.
