"Community raises over $11,000 and hope for a girl with cancer"

There were tears, laughter and shrieks of fright as the Six Nations community came together at Chiefswood Park Saturday to raise money during a "Zombie Run" for a Six Nations girl currently battling against cancer.

The community raised over $11,000 in under two weeks to help the 11-year-old Six Nations girl and her family with expenses as she fights Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a childhood cancer the family has chosen to treat with traditional medicine.

Artie Martin, one of the organizers, was almost in tears as he announced the winners. The top individual, Dakota Brant, raised $755 for the cause. The top youth was Raquel Johnson, who raised $1,200.

They raised $ 11,139 total.

"That's thanks to you guys," said Martin, emcee. "No one fights alone."

There were 104 sponsors who ran three kilometers dur­ing the Zombie Run.

Sponsors ran around the Park, and as they did, goulish zombies came out and tried to grab flags off them.

The committee unveiled a beautiful banner with signatures and positive messages from well wishers to the girl and family members.

"It will be something she can hang up in her room to look at later, to be reminded of how many people are behind her in her fight," said Martin.

There were many nia-wehs from family members. One woman tearfully told the run­ners, "You have no idea how much this means to our family."

The girl's father somberly thanked community mem­bers for their caring and support. "Keep praying," he said. "There's still a long road to go yet."

Connie Johnson, the girl's aunt, said she was motivated to do something for her brother's daughter.

"It was just an idea - something that would raise lots of funds," said Johnson. "We planned, had a couple of meetings, got lots of sponsors. It was so great to see everybody pull together for Teiehkwa. I'm so glad we were able to help her. I'm so glad that when she comes home we can give her this. We want to encourage her to keep on fighting and we're all with her on this.

"The community just pulled together and you could just feel it. It was just a great thing. It was so positive. It just shows everybody in this community is behind each other."

Johnson said the Zombie Run will become an annual event to help families in a similar situation.

"But it will always be in hon­our of Teiehkwa's Journey," said Johnson. "It was so awesome. My phone was going off nonstop for two weeks. Next year, we want her leading this race."