Brandt Goes The Extra Mile For Rankin Cancer Run.

June 23, 2023

Brandt showed up for the 17^th annual Rankin Cancer Run in support of cancer-care organizations across the Niagara region. As a proud sponsor, Brandt donated $5,000 for this year’s event, which raised and distributed over $11,000,000 since its inception.

The journey began in October, 2004, when a passionate group of local volunteers reached out to Tom Rankin of Rankin Construction to became the title sponsor and in May, 2006, the very first Rankin Cancer Run was held. Seventeen years later, the event is still growing strong for organizations that rely on their support.

One of those organizations' is Wellspring Niagara. The organization has received $2 million in donations to date, with no government funding to lean on according to Mary Ann Edwards, Director of the Rankin Cancer Run. "They would have serious trouble carrying on their centre and free cancer programs if not for our support.”

“Cancer rates are rising dramatically, but thankfully, so are our participant numbers. Everyone involved is an unpaid volunteer, and we return all funds raised to our Niagara Region,” said Edwards. “We are beyond grateful. We never set a goal, and each year we just hope we can help and give back in some small way.”

Brandt has numerous employees who take part in the run every year like the team from our Stoney Creek branch, who celebrated year 13 at the finish line. This year included a virtual tie in, allowing more staff members to lace up their sneakers across the country.

"We’re thrilled to be able to support the Rankin Cancer Run and be a part of such a special cause,” said Don Switzer, Brandt’s Chief Operating Officer – Central & Eastern Canada, Distributed Products. “In addition to our Brandt Thanks A Billion philanthropic program, we’ve had many employees participate in the 5k walk/run to help raise funds. It’s a fun event and it’s great to see our employees get behind the cause personally!”

For more on Rankin Cancer Run, visit: https://www.rankincancerrun.com/

The donation is part of the Brandt Thanks A Billion program, which demonstrates our gratitude to our customers, employees, and communities in tangible ways. Since the program began in 2011, we’ve given more than $22 million dollars in support of 250 communities and 5,000 organizations, enriching thousands of lives and making our communities better places to live and work.