Though it’s been a year since the annual Father’s Day Walk Run for Prostate Centre took place on the grounds of Royal Roads University in 2014, Owen Krigolson, the fundraising face of the event, never stopped collecting.
The Saanich seven year old is on the verge of hitting a total of $10,000 towards prostate cancer awareness, testing and research, and will be on hand at the Vancouver Island Tech Park for Sunday’s (June 21) 10-kilometre run and 5 km walk/run, beginning at 10 a.m.
Owen first became devoted to the cause when he asked for donations to the Prostate Centre instead of toys, having learned of his grandfather’s (Dave Krigolson) diagnosis. Owen turned every holiday, birthday and Christmas into an opportunity to raise money on behalf of his "Poppa’s" cause.
“It’s part of (Owen’s) every day life now, it’s just what he does,” says mom Carrie Ferguson.
Poppa Dave is currently doing well. His cancer is inoperable and therapy continues, but he lives a normal, active life.
Owen is currently at about $9,500. In the fall he joined forces with the Movember campaign, speaking at his own school, Campus View elementary, where he’s in Grade 2, and at Arbutus middle school, where 500 students helped raise money and wore fake moustaches when he returned to collect the cash.
“I don’t know a lot of kids who could go unphased in front of 500 kids,” said Ferguson, who teaches at Arbutus.
On June 7, Owen gave the official start for the Vancouver Island Ride to Live and made closing remarkds following the ride.
Sunday’s Father’s Day event starts with welcoming ceremonies at 9:45 a.m. The 10 km run starts at 10 a.m., followed by the 5 km walk/run at 10:10 a.m. Father’s Day brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. onward with a Dash for Dad Kids Run at 11:15 a.m.
Monies raised help support the Country Grocer Men’s Health Day, which takes place Sept.12 at Tillicum Centre from 9:30 am to 3 p.m. In 2014, Country Grocer Men’s Health Day PSA tested 627 men, and 22 of those tests showed a risk for prostate cancer.
Parking for Sunday’s Father’s Day Walk/Run is free in the Tech Park’s east lot. Visit thefathersdayrun.ca for more information. Owen’s progress is updated at owenkrigolson.com.
reporter@saanichnews.com