SNOW RUN FOR FUN

24TH ANNUAL KELLY SHIRES BREAST CANCER SNOW RUN

KELLY’S TEAM IS READY TO PAINT THE TRAILS PINK

As you are reading this, our Event Committee is enthusiastically planning our first in person event in 2 years, to say that we are excited is an understatement! The 24th annual event takes place on Feb 3-5, 2023 at Hidden Valley Resort in Huntsville, Ontario.

Over the past 23 years you may have heard about this awesome all-women snowmobile event but you may not know how it all started or what the event is really all about so keep reading to find out more.

The story starts just over 23 years ago with our now guardian angel Kelly Shires. It was around this time of year in1996 when Kelly Shires found a lump on her breast. Kelly no procrastinate, she immediately visited her doctor and it was determined quickly that she had breast cancer. At the time of diagnosis Kelly was in the early stages of pregnancy with her first child and the doctors deemed it necessary to terminate the pregnancy. Crushed at the decision she began a whirlwind of surgeries and on-going chemotherapy. It was just the beginning of what she would endure.

Kelly experienced first-hand the realities that come along with a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Immediately she wanted to help others in the same or similar situation. She was a force to be reckoned with and there was no way that she wasn’t going to take this situation and turn it into something good! Early into Kelly’s journey, she noticed that there was a need in the system for financial support during a treatment/diagnosis period (23 years later this gap still exists and so does this disease). This is where the idea for the ‘Snow Run” was born and when Kelly and Suzy Stenoff teamed up and launched its first Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run for Fun in January 2000.

Kelly’s vision was to have an all-women snowmobile ride in support of financial assistance for breast cancer patients. The concept and planning for the first annual event began late fall 1999 with its inaugural event set to take place January 2000. Taking on an event like this (23 plus years ago) was a huge undertaking and not one that was without some big challenges. Mother Nature decided to throw in a little extra f and un and decided that the end of January was the perfect time to rain! The first “ride” was officially “rained out”, but this did not deter Kelly nor the 55 participants who signed up for this inaugural adventure. From the first-year people quickly realized the importance of this event, so even with no snow and no open trails the ladies forged through the weekend. Instead of riding their sleds however, the ladies rode the route on a bus, where at the designated lunch spot they were treated with live entertainment and fun contests. The entire group who attended had a fantastic time and the first annual event raised $10,000!

Things have changed considerably since that first year, the momentum for the charity continues to grow over the years. Kelly’s cancer was in remission for a short time but then came back and this time also moved into her bones and liver. She never stopped her chemotherapy. There was no way that Kelly was going to let cancer stop her love of life, she fought back hard. 2004 was the last event that Kelly rode in, she wasn’t feeling well but she never let that get in the way and was always smiling no matter what. Not only did she ride in this event, she led one of the teams and at her last Snow Run she would see it raise over $250,000. A big leap from the $10,000 raised just 5 years earlier. On October 31, 2004 Kelly lost her long hard battle with breast cancer but continues to be an inspiration to us all. Losing Kelly was devastating to everyone around her but it was also a lesson in determination, strength and that together we can accomplish anything.

Over 23 years, this “small” volunteer driven charity along with the enthusiastic snowmobilers who participate, the incredible sponsors and an amazing, dedicated group of volunteers have raised over $7.9 million dollars to help financially assist those battling breast cancer across Canada. The charity exists and is run through the hard work of dedicated volunteers and just one part-time paid employee who helps manage the applications received for assistance from breast cancer patients. Expanding Kelly’s dream. In 2010 an ATV Jamboree event was added to the annual list of events in support of the charity (www.trax4bc.com). The 13th annual TraX4 Breast Cancer event will take place in the spring 2023 – details to follow and is open to both male and female riders.

This past February, The Ontario Snow Run event raised over $375,000.00 thanks to the hard work of our participants and generous Sponsors. It has become apparent over the years that so many people do not realize how expensive a diagnosis/treatment can be, it is a commonly believed that private or public health care systems will cover all your costs, and this is not the reality. We all know that stress is not healthy and that is where the charity can help alleviate the financial stress so those who are fighting for their lives can focus on their recovery.

Kelly’s dream pulled together 3 incredible aspects. Firstly, an opportunity for female riders to have their own snowmobile weekend, secondly raising breast cancer awareness with such a unique event and thirdly, raising much needed funds that directly assist those battling breast cancer. Although the theme is “women helping women” there are ways for everyone to get involved. We are most fortunate to have the support of amazing male volunteers. They who work tirelessly in the cold to ensure that we have a fantastic day on the trails. Everything from helping to park truck and trailers, load and unload sleds to topping up our fuel at the lunch stop is taken care of – they treat all the riders with VIP status and we are so lucky to have their support. Some have also come up with some very unique ways to help raise money for the cause because they realize breast cancer isn’t a battle one fights alone. Helping someone through their journey

takes a team of people from their medical team to their family, friends, and co-workers rallying around them with support – it affects us all.

Come help us celebrate our 24th annual event!

We are thrilled excited to announce that this year’s theme will be a football theme – “Kelly’s team tackles breast cancer”. There is also so much excitement surrounding or theme and how much fun the riders have with it! We cannot wait to see how creative you are with this year’s theme!

Don’t miss out on our 2022/2023 Raffle - tickets are still available at Royal Distributing locations for only $10 for your chance to win:

1st prize - 2023 Ski-Doo Renegade 600 R (donated by BRP/Ski-Doo & Factory Recreation, Midland) 2nd prize - $500 Gift Certificate for Royal Distributing (donated by Royal Distributing) 3rd prize – Stay for 2 at Hidden Valley Resort, Huntsville (donated by Hidden Valley Resort)

In honour of all those who we have lost to breast cancer, all the courageous warriors currently battling the disease and in memory of Kelly, we are going to continue doing this Kelly style and that means “‘Dancing like Nobody’s Watching”. www.breastcancersnowrun. org For information on the financial assistance program please visit www. kellyshiresfoundation.org

We are not funded by the government so we rely on the generosity of our donors, if you cannot make it to one of our events and would like to support the cause, we would welcome any donations through our secure on-line donation forum at www.kellyshiresfoundation. org. Thank you for your support!

Other events: 13th Annual TraX4 Breast Cancer ATV Ride (open to male and female riders) Spring 2023 www.trax4bc.com Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run

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