The event helps families facing financial challenges after a cancer diagnosis.
TILLSONBURG – The Tillsonburg Running with the Bulls event is back this year.
It will take place on the Trans Canada Trail in Tillsonburg on Saturday, July 19th.
Tamara Bull started Running with the Bulls last year to help families dealing with financial difficulties after a cancer diagnosis. This initiative came from her own experience when her adult son, Nathan Bull, was diagnosed with cancer in 2023. He needed to go to the United States for an expensive treatment, and the community raised thousands through a Go Fund Me page to support him.
Nathan had surgery just over six months ago. He recently had a checkup three weeks ago and is now cancer-free.
Tamara organized the first event on her own in 2024 with assistance from various sponsors. She still has many sponsors this year and has partnered with the Kindred Foundation. This partnership means that donors will be able to receive tax receipts for their contributions.
All funds collected during this event will go towards the Kindred Foundation’s ULink Patient and Family Fund, which assists infants, children, and young adults under 30 by covering extra costs associated with a cancer diagnosis. Tamara explains that this includes certain medications, lodging, and travel expenses.
“For example with the situation with our son where we were told we had to go to the United States, we can cover up to $2,000 of travel expenses per family.”
She emphasizes that funds raised in Tillsonburg will primarily benefit local families.
“The funds I raise locally, my local families have priority first. The Kindred Foundation supports Canada-wide, but my local families get priority.”
The event on July 19th will feature a 10K run at 8:00 a. m., a 5K run at 8:30 a. m., and a Kiddie Trot of 1K at 9:30 a. m. Tamara mentions they’re also adding a new 2K memorial walk at 10:00 a. m.
“What I noticed last year was there were people who weren’t runners but wanted to be in that comforting environment of others that have experienced cancer and wanted to walk some of the 5K. This year I thought we should do something to honor those families and make it a complete community event.”
You can buy special flags for the memorial walk and personalize them in memory or honor of someone fighting cancer in your life. The flags cost $5 each and can either be placed along the walking route or carried by participants. You are welcome to take your flag home after the event.
Right now, registration for the run is $64 but will increase to $74 after June 29th. Those who sign up for either the 5K or the 10K will get race kits that include a t-shirt, bib number, and medal.
Participation in both the Kiddie Trot (1K) and Memorial Walk (2K) is free; however, families need to register their kids for the Kiddie Trot beforehand.
You can find more details about Tillsonburg Running with the Bulls on their website or Facebook page.
Tamara Bull visited Heart FM studio on Tuesday, June 17th, for an interview with Dan and Marcie. You can listen to their full conversation below:
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