Faculty of Health Sciences students raise more than $1,200 for Grandview Children’s Centre

A team from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s (UOIT) Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) recently participated in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon 5-km walk on October 20 to raise money for the Grandview Children’s Centre (GCC) in Oshawa, Ontario.

The group, which joined GCC’s Smash’n Pumpkins team, included:

• Andrea Bell, fourth-year Kinesiology student
• Emily Bremer, second-year Master of Health Sciences (Kinesiology) student, who ran the 21-km half marathon
• Sean Jones, third-year Health Sciences Comprehensive student
• Caroline Kassee, first-year Master of Health Sciences (Kinesiology) student
• Dr. Meghann Lloyd, Assistant Professor, UOIT and Research Associate, GCC
• Jacqueline Mangal, fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing student
• Lindsay Smith, first-year Master of Health Sciences (Kinesiology) student

Donning bright orange pumpkin hats and blue GCC T-shirts, the team faced an early start time on an unusually cold morning. Collectively, they raised more than $1,200 for GCC, which provides therapy services to children and youth with special needs in Durham Region.

Dr. Lloyd and her students research motor behaviour and physical activity for children with disabilities. The group works very closely with GCC in all aspects of their research.

“I was delighted to be a part of the 5-km walk for Grandview Children’s Centre,” said Mangal. “I had never done anything like that before. I was so inspired by the determination of the Grandview kids and the spirit of love and support surrounding the event.”

"I'm really glad that I got to run in support of Grandview Children’s Centre,” added Bremer, who has worked closely with GCC over the past two years for her thesis project. “GCC has been extremely supportive of the work we are doing in UOIT’s Motor Behaviour and Physical Activity Lab. It is such an incredible organization. I’m always more than willing to give back and support them in any capacity, whether it’s raising money for a run or advocating on their behalf.”

“Our team was very excited to participate in this event and support Grandview Children’s Centre, which does so much for children and youth with special needs in our community,” said Dr. Lloyd. “This was a tangible way for our research team to help GCC continue to deliver high-quality care and services.”

“Congratulations to Meghann and her team on a job very well done,” said Dr. Ellen Vogel, Dean, FHS. “Their participation in this event demonstrates their commitment to helping children and youth with special needs who receive access to the specialized programs, outpatient clinical treatment and support offered through Grandview Children’s Centre.”