The Patrol Foundation to hold November event benefiting Alberta Cancer Foundation

The Patrol Foundation is hosting its Cold Patrol 10K run next month, with a goal of raising $100,000. Kevin Fleming reports.

Calgary-based non-profit The Patrol Foundation is hosting its second-annual Cold Patrol 10K run next month, with a goal of raising $100,000 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation (ACF).

The Patrol Foundation was started back in 2023 by eight friends who were looking for ways to give back to their community by hosting fun events.

“We’re certainly thrilled that we’re able to do this for fun,” said Philippe Burns, an original member. “We love bringing people together and we love having a great time, and we’re just really excited that other people love doing that with us.”

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“We seem to be able to get in front of young philanthropists who want to not necessarily go to stuffy dinners or galas and want to raise money in a new, exciting way.”

Original member Andrew Black says the first year, he and the other seven members tapped into their friends and family to raise close to $24,000 for the ACF.

“That really developed the momentum for us to start reaching out to some of the corporate sponsors and other sponsors who have supported us since,” he said.

Black says in 2024, close to 300 people took part in the Cold Patrol 10K, raising more than $64,000 for the ACF.

Original member Nyle Macleod says they’re all in their mid-to-late 20s, and hosting the November event helps raise awareness about different forms of cancer in both men and women.

“We work with a lot of younger people,” he said. “They may not have a lot to give, but there’s something really fun about building a community around getting people out and rallying behind the cause.”

Cold Garden is one of the sponsors of the event.

Co-founder Dan Allard says his team resonates with The Patrol Foundation and its values.

“When they first tapped us on our shoulder, it was like they’re a group of buddies just running around,” he said. “But we knew they had a really great mindset behind it, good vision, and we’re not surprised by the growth; it’s important for us to be aligned with that energy, and I think no matter what, these folks would find success – and they did it.”

The ACF is the official fundraising partner for all 17 cancer centers across the province, and Michelle Pitt says the foundation is grateful to be a part of the November event,

“Every dollar, no matter how small, no matter how big, stays here in Alberta and we can make the biggest difference possible,” she said.

“This event is not just a run, it’s about community, about action, about hope and cancer really affects everyone – so whether you run, whether you walk, cheer, fundraise, whatever you might like to do, it’s about something bigger, it’s about Albertans and giving Albertans more time, more hope, more moments.”