Cheers of excitement can be heard throughout the crowd as the run begins. Over 400 runners parading in Halloween costumes participated in this year's run, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Joggin for a Noggin. (Mya Butler, CMRU.CA).
No child wants to undergo neurosurgery. But for the kids at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, there is an event that makes it a little easier. Joggin for a Noggin is a Halloween-themed fun run that raises funds to send neurosurgery kids from the Alberta Children’s Hospital to summer camp. Founder of the organization and neurosurgery nurse Kelly Bullivant says, “Joggin for a Noggin started in 2015, and it just started with the idea to try and support my neurosurgery kids and families”. The event run’s every October in Bowness park, with this year’s celebration marking the 10th anniversary.
Event Features
Joggin for a Noggin has a variety of activities including:
- a 5k fun run or 1k trick-or-treat walk
- S’mores by the campfire
- Silent Auction
- Face-painting
- Various Vendors
- Free Refreshments
A deeper look at the organization
Heather Davies is a mother of a child who has had neurosurgery and a member of the Joggin for a Noggin committee. She says “as a parent, there’s not a lot you can do when someone has to go and operate on your child’s brain…I needed to channel some of that energy into something positive”. Find out more in the following video:
Summer camp
The summer camp that Joggin for a Noggin raises funds for is called Camp Everest South, and it’s a 5-day summer camp offered for ages 7-17 for neurosurgery kids at the Alberta Children’’s Hospital. Neurosurgery patient and former camper, Sienna Wood describes camp saying, “There’s so many different aspects to camp. There’s the arts and craft’s unit, high ropes course and giant swings, ziplines, rock climbing, as well as camping, white-water rafting, and hikes”. During these activities, Camp Everest South caters to meet the needs of each camper. Bullivant notes, ” the impact that camp has on these kids is profound. Often, prior to camp, their medical story can be the focus. At camp, they are allowed to just be a kid.”
Doggin for a Noggin
This cute pup is a participant in the race. This image is courtesy of the Joggin for a Noggin website.
As of 2019, Joggin for a Noggin introduced Doggin for a Noggin which gives the event participants the ability to dress their dogs in halloween costumes to run alongside them. Petco, one of the sponsors of Joggin for a Noggin, sets up a booth at the event, giving away free dog treats.
Author’s Reflection
Getting to work with Kelly Bullivant, Heather Davies, Sienna Wood, Brenna Wood, along with the rest of the Joggin for a Noggin crew, was truly an incredible experience. It was an amazing opportunity to capture this story from multiple perspectives, giving deeper insight into how the community comes together to support this charity. It was apparent throughout filming just how important this charity is to the members it features, with a deep level of care present. Working on this project proved to me that these kids refuse to allow themselves to be defined by their diagnoses, inspiring others to do the same. Getting to witness this truly remarkable event was such a privilege, as it perfectly represents the enormous support that these kids have. It clearly reflects how resilient these kids who have undergone neurosurgery are, and the profound impact camp has on these kids, leaving them with a life-changing experience, and new-found friends. I hope that throughout this story, individuals will feel compelled to get involved with the charity organization and be inspired by the grace of these children.
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