Honouring sister lost to cancer with grueling fundraiser
Nicole Hamather loves to run, but she’ll be tackling her most demanding race yet, this weekend, in honour of her late sister.
“I always try and make her proud, and that’s something I strive for every day. Figuring out what I can do for the community, for others, and what I can do to make her proud. She loved running, and I love running. It’s always been my outlet during difficult times, especially during when she passed away. So, I thought, this was the most appropriate way to honour her. It’s something she would have loved to do, and something she’d be proud of,” says Nicole.
Jessica Hamather passed away from cancer at the age of 22, on Dec. 1, 2015, in a dingy hospital room, which inspired her family and surrounding community of Exeter, Ont. to build a place to die in dignity — Jessica’s House was built and opened in 2018.
“My sister passed away in 2015. That’s when the idea started for Jessica’s House. Our family was approached about naming the house in her honour, and continuing her legacy. Ever since, we’ve been trying to help out as much as we can,” Nicole explained.
She will be helping out, by running 77 kilometres over the next two days, completing the arduous 4x4x48 challenge. Running four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours. Her initial fundraising goal of $2,000, has been blown out of the water, with over $28,000 raised so far.
“Jessica’s House only receives 40 per cent of our funding from the government. We are responsible for fundraising the remaining 60 per cent. These funds go towards making Jessica’s House a home, for people during their end of life journey,” says Jessica’s House Fund Development Co-ordinator, Bre Thompson.
Hamather starts her 4x4x48 challenge, Friday night at 6 p.m. and will run the final four mile stretch, Sunday at 2 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.