Dundas teen launches run-based cancer fundraiser to honour late mother

It’s a running fundraiser dedicated to cancer research, and for one Dundas teen it’s a way to connect with his mom who passed away from the disease.

Sacha Stevens is hoping to raise $5,000 to fund cancer research at McMaster Children’s Hospital – and he’s willing to run 1,000 kilometres to do it.

“Who I am is because of her and how I grew up,” said Sacha.

Sacha is the founder of Donations in Motion, a running based charity dedicated to cancer research at McMaster Children’s Hospital. His main inspiration? His mom who passed on Remembrance Day in 2017.

“My mother passed away from cancer and that’s why I originally started this fundraiser. But one of my best friends had a really severe pancreatic injury years ago and that’s where he stayed for the majority of the time he was in the hospital,” said Sacha.

“Everyone has been really impressed with what he’s been able to do as a teenager — to have a larger world view and try to help society and people that you don’t know,” said John Stevens, Sacha’s dad.

Sacha has been doing this fundraiser since September.

John is proud of his son – setting up the donation dedication to MacKids and rallying support around the cause. John says it wasn’t easy for Sacha with his mom passing away when he was young, but this project is a way to connect with her.

“My biggest worry has always been in regards to Sasha with it and how it’s affected him. A lot of people said send him to therapy and such, and we did and he came through it as a really good human being,” said John.

Sacha has run over 100 kilometres so far and has raised over $1,000. He still has some running left to do, and will be accepting donations until New Years Eve.

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