Canine Cancer Research Fundraisers
A brief history of how Run Free commenced, the ensuing fundraisers, and our up to date total profits for canine cancer research.
Run Free Winter
In 2014, we dropped a few hints here and there about something brand new maybe coming. Since the last Run Free Fundraiser, Jaime had lost Misha, at age 7, and Lynn had lost Tobie a year later, at age 12. Tobie and Misha feature in the middle of the Run Free Winter design. At first we had sketched ideas about a holiday theme, but in the end hoped a more general idea would reach a broader audience.
Currently still in production, the Run Free Winter design is in the midst of its second printing for January 2015, with new options available.
Stay tuned for our latest canine cancer research grand totals in 2015.
Run Free 2
After a hiatus, the Run Free team decided to give this t-shirt fundraiser a second life. More Berners were dying of cancer. More lives were touched and lost, too many much too early. We created a new facebook page to see if there was any interest in a repeat printing. The rapid response was astonishing. So, we rejuvinated the "classic" Run Free design, and brought along a puppy surprise. Two shirts for Run Free 2. The printings spread out over 2012 to 2013, and our proceeds for canine cancer research totalled a surprising $7, 300!
Run Free Begins
In 2010, a Chicago Berner owner and active BARC foster/transport volunteer, Julie Greco, was devastated by the news that her first failed foster, Chloe had MH. Chloe was just six years old, the same age that Julie’s first Berner, Monty, died of the same disease. Julie had been training to run the Chicago Marathon for about a year. She had been dedicating her training races (usually ½ marathons) to dogs of friends that have passed by wearing a button. As she waited on pins and needles for Chloe’s diagnosis, she pleaded in one post – “please, no more buttons.” Sadly, that plea didn’t reach the right ears. During the hardest part of Julie’s training, Chloe lost her battle.
On an unusually hot October day in Chicago, Julie completed her first marathon and there is no doubt that Chloe was right there with her every step of those 26.1 miles.
Lynn asked Jaime if she could come up with a t-shirt design. Maybe we should do a fundraiser with it. After all, everyone loses their Berner someday, far too many to cancer.
Thus Run Free Cancer Fundraising was born. Two similar designs were launched in 2010 and 2012. The first printing raised $3,180 by Dec 9, 2010.