Strengthening the Lloydminster community with a 12-hour treadmill “run-raiser”

December 2021 – Did you know that nearly every visit to a hospital or healthcare clinic includes the use of diagnostic imaging? From CT scanners to X-rays, this type of equipment is vital to places like the Lloydminster Hospital and helps to ensure quick diagnoses and successful procedures for patients in the region.

Every year, the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation (LRHF) hosts its Gift to Health fundraiser to help raise funds and awareness for crucial healthcare equipment required for the community. This year, the event, nicknamed the “run-raiser” was presented by Cenovus Energy.

On December 7, 2021, more than 222,000 viewers tuned in to watch 24 amazing community members top 2,000 kilometers on treadmills during the 12hour “run-raiser” (that’s about double the distance of Saskatchewan from north to south) while hosts interviewed over 60 people and visited more than 20 community locations. The event raised an incredible $540,000 for diagnostic imaging equipment at the Lloydminster hospital.

“The outpouring of support from our community was overwhelming this year. We received over 600 donations online for our runners, five times more than last year,” says Malcolm Radke, CEO at LRHF. “This imaging equipment means our healthcare team receive accurate and timely diagnoses and can perform more surgeries locally in our Lloydminster Hospital. Thank you to every single donor and volunteer - we needed everyone!”

Michael Welygan, a Facility & Projects Engineer with Cenovus in Lloydminster, is no stranger to running for a cause and during the past two years, he has been running in support of the LRHF’s annual fundraiser.

“My community is very important to me and helping make it stronger is always a goal of mine,” says Michael. “At the end of last year’s run, I was brought to tears knowing that we had raised enough money (on a $/km basis) to purchase an iPad for every senior at a local long term care home so they could stay connected to their loved ones during the pandemic. This year, the amazing team of Cenovus employees in conjunction with our unreal community helped smashed our goal of $500,000 and I couldn’t be more stoked!”

Employees also had the opportunity to support Michael and his team’s efforts by donating through our employee giving and volunteering program, Cenovus Cares, which meant donations were matched dollar for dollar by the company. A great show of support from employees, nearly $20,000 was contributed to the fundraiser.

“I can’t thank those who supported me through Cenovus Cares enough,” says Michael. “With their contribution, it made the half a million-dollar goal achievable and they (along with their families) have helped make an impact for our hospital.”

With a strong commitment to safety and resilience-building in the communities where we live and work, Cenovus is pleased to be part of such an inspiring event and achievement for the Lloydminster region.