When Kendra Fisher’s son River passed away in 2018, it was her family’s first introduction to the doctors, nurses, social workers and others who take care of children in hospital and their families. When the Million Reasons Run first began, during the pandemic, it was a welcome opportunity for her to honour his memory while raising money for the hospitals that play such an important role in the lives of children living with medical challenges.
Not long after that, when her son Bodhi (who is now five) was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and became a patient at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, The Million Reasons Run was in its second year, and their family’s experience cemented the run’s role in Kendra’s life. “I didn’t need another reason to participate, but I certainly got one,” says Kendra, who is a professional speaker working in mental health, as well as a firefighter, and who runs to support Sick Kids. “This is an event that will always be close to my heart.”
The Million Reasons Run is a virtual fundraiser that gives you the chance to make a positive impact on the world with every run. Supporting 13 children’s hospitals across Canada, the fundraiser has helped advance lifesaving treatments for countless children. This May, The Million Reasons Run is back for its fifth year–and now’s your chance to join the race to save lives, just like Kendra and all the other individuals and families who support the run.”
We first wrote about Kendra and her family in 2022. The boys are growing and thriving, but, if anything, the Million Reasons Run has taken on an even bigger role in their lives.
“I run for River. I run for Bodhi. I run for their brother Finley [who is eight], who has experienced every moment alongside us,” Kendra says. “I run to support the people working in these hospitals who show up daily for my family. I run with the hope of changing tomorrow for so many children and their families.”
Kendra goes on: “A study out of Stanford [University] concluded that Type 1 diabetics or their caregivers make more than 180 diabetes-related decisions every single day. Every moment of every day, I know how important events like these are in keeping our kids safe.”
When asked what it means to her to be part of a community that’s dedicated to improving children’s lives, Kendra says, “I can’t expect anybody to show up for my family in ways that I’m not willing to show up for others. Community is always the answer, and we are far stronger when we connect for change.
“Bodhi wakes up every single day with no choice but to live with Type 1 diabetes. That’s motivation enough. I can’t expect my five-year-old to show up for himself if I’m not willing to.”
The Million Reasons Run: Kendra’s story
All donations go through SickKids Foundation and are then distributed to the children’s hospital foundation(s) closest to the given donor. Your donations fund lifesaving, groundbreaking research, helping to uncover new cures and less invasive treatments for children across Canada. Learn more about the kids who are impacted and participating hospitals, here.
Don’t miss your chance to take the 31-day challenge and make every kilometre count this May. To sign up for the 2025 Million Reasons Run, click here.
