Brampton gets its own Spring Sprint
STEPHANIE THIESSEN
The Brampton Guardian
Apr. 8, 2001

After attending a Toronto Spring Sprint walk-a-thon for the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada, Lawrence Bloom discovered Brampton didn't have a similar event because nobody wanted to organize it.

He knew the only way it was going to happen was by taking matters into his own hands.

"I decided to start one in Brampton. I went to some friends and put together a committee, and away we went," said Bloom, the organizing committee's chair.

Brampton will host its very own Spring Sprint in support of the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada on May 6 at Professor's Lake beginning at 9:30 a.m. Participants will gather pledges beforehand and then walk, run, wheel or bike the three kilometres around the lake.

"We're organizing it in honour of individuals who suffer or have suffered from brain tumors, and their families," Bloom said.

The Brampton event will be one of 14 Spring Sprints held across Canada.

Mayor Susan Fennell and Ontario Minister of Health and Long-term Care Tony Clement will attend the walk-a-thon.

It was after Bloom's 17-year-old son, David, was diagnosed with astrocytoma, an inoperable cancerous brain tumor, that the family first got involved with the foundation, Bloom said.

"This is such a worthwhile cause. . . we're not going to quit supporting the foundation until a cure is found," Bloom said in a news release.

Proceeds from the event will go to research, education and community support for the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada.

Registration for the event will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 10:30 a.m.

"People can take their time. This is meant to be a fun thing," Bloom said.

After participants have finished the trek, at about noon, there will be a charity barbecue, a silent auction, live entertainment, door-prize raffle and speeches by the mayor and Clement.

"It's going to be a great day," Bloom said.

He added organizers are hoping to have at least 500 people participating -- which won't be hard, since he said 500 pledge packages have already been distributed around Brampton.

All participants who bring pledge packages to the event will receive raffle tickets, and each participant who has at least $30 in pledges will receive a t-shirt, Bloom said. There are different prizes for those who raise more than that.

Bloom said he has been overwhelmed by the support shown by the community.

"I figured we'd have eight or 10 sponsors, but we've doubled that. The event has taken off and the community has been fabulous in its support," he said.

Bloom said participants should register in advance so they can receive their pledge packages. To do this, call 1-800-265-5106 or register online at www.btfc.org.