Hundreds of people flowed through the doors of the Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre's (LRATC) for its 16th annual Cure-a-thon on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
Each year, the vocational school's Cure-a-thon raises money for CancerCare Manitoba to boost the organization's many services, which include everything from research to screening to treatment and care.
To raise the funds, students put their hard-earned skills to the test. They cut hair; clip, file, and polish nails; wash cars; griddle pancakes; and bake pastries. They also help run activities and a silent auction. All the while, the Broadcast Media students lug camera gear to capture it all.
Among the flurry of visitors, staff, and students, you didn't need to search long to find those who held the cause dear to their hearts.
"I'm a cancer survivor myself," Lucie Laurin, an esthetics teacher, said.
Lucie Laurin has been a mainstay of the Cure-a-thon since its inception 16 years ago.
Laurin has participated in the event every year since it began and said it's wonderful to see the LRSD community and beyond rally for the cause.
"I'm super proud that there's so much support, and that we're able to raise money for research and all the other things it goes towards."
Hairstyling student Senay Berhe also had personal reasons motivating his work.
"I had a close friend that was affected with cancer two or three weeks ago. I feel very sad for him but I need to keep up the good energy," Berhe said. "But I feel great that we're raising all this money today and putting it towards CancerCare."
In the ATC Salon, all the styling chairs were full with visitors and each visitor had a student or two tending to them, and large mirrors multiplied their images and made the room feel even more packed. Berhe and classmates were zipping around all day, trying to keep up.
"I'm a little tired," Berhe said, smiling. "But you feel like you're helping. It's really busy but having everyone together like this feels nice."
Senay Berhe found personal inspiration as he motored about the salon, helping raise funds for CancerCare Manitoba.
Back in Laurin's classroom, under the bright lights needed for the fine, cuticular work of manicures and pedicures, Heidi Schollenberg lay back as a student worked away at her foot.
"We see so much cancer in the world, in our province and city, and in our communities. I think every family is somehow touched by cancer. So, what the school is doing here to help raise money to support CancerCare is invaluable," Schollenberg said.
And she would know. Schollenberg is a registered nurse for CancerCare and works in the chemotherapy department at the Health Sciences Centre.
"I wish I'd seen the advertisement earlier. I'd have gotten the word out to all my colleagues to get down here," Schollenberg said. "And the pedicure is great!"
Taking in the whole event, LRATC vice-principal Greg Kiesman felt a great satisfaction.
"It's just so exciting to be part of a school community that's all in on a fantastic fundraising opportunity," Kiesman said. "Our students and staff have been behind this for quite some time, and it's great to see how invested they are."
The event provides so much benefit to all involved, Kiesman said. It provides students the experience of an almost manically busy work day (which they're bound to have a few of after graduation); it allows visitors to see students doing the work they love to do and gives some the chance to learn a little more about what vocational schools are about; and most importantly, it drives home one of LRSD's four overarching priorities generosity.
"A day like this demonstrates to our students and encourages our students to really understand what community means, as they learn to do things for each other and for the community," Keisman said.
This year, the Cure-a-thon raised a whopping $5,345.05, up from approximately $3,000 last year. Over its 16 years, the event has raised more than $40,000 for CancerCare.
