A splash of Meridian blue along the Welland Canal has become one of the sure signs that spring has arrived in St. Catharines.
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Every year since 2005, Meridian employees don blue Meridian T-shirts and participate in the Rankin Cancer Run. This year, more than 200 employees from 13 Meridian branches will take part, either as volunteer organizers or as participants in the run itself. In addition, barbeques, book sales and other fundraising activities are taking place in the branches themselves to help raise money for the run.
1.38 million raised
“The Rankin Run has been successful beyond our wildest dreams,” Midge Butson, manager of Meridian Port Colborne branch and member of the Rankin Cancer Run organizing committee, said.
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The Rankin Cancer Run has raised $1.38 million in four years, all of which has been invested back into cancer care in the Niagara Region to support initiatives such as the purchase of diagnostic and treatment machines at Niagara Health System locations in Niagara Falls, West Lincoln, Welland and St. Catharines and supporting Hospice Niagara, and Wellspring Niagara, organizations which provide support services to cancer patients in the Niagara Region.
A leading corporate sponsor
Meridian is one of four major corporate sponsors of the run together with Tom Rankin Construction, the run’s founding sponsor and leading contributor.
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“This gets bigger every year. We now have more than 7,000 people participating, up from 3,000 when it started just four years ago,” Midge said.
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She added that the Rankin Cancer Run is perfectly aligned with the values of Meridian’s Good Neighbour Program in helping to make Meridian communities strong, vibrant and inclusive.
Money invested back in the community
“Meridian invests its Members’ money directly back into Members’ communities to make them stronger. That’s exactly what we are doing with the Rankin Cancer Run. The money that is raised by the people of Niagara stays right here, in Niagara, to help people here,” Midge said.
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“This is so important to so many people here. I’m proud of everyone at Meridian and everyone in the community for getting behind this. It’s one of the best ways I can think of to give back to this community,” Midge said.
Grass roots support from Meridian
We have been deeply fortunate to have Meridian Credit Union as a major sponsor for our Rankin Cancer Run. Meridian Credit Union has been behind our cause and believed in our grass roots event since its inception. Their tremendous trust in us and financial support over our five years has been beyond overwhelming. The influence of Meridian Credit Union on our event has been immense. Their networking has helped to introduce our event to our region and also dramatically increase participation and interest. Our Rankin Cancer Run would not be what it is today without the phenomenal and generous support from Meridian Credit Union.
–Mary Ann Edwards, Director, Rankin Cancer Run
