Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!! I was inspired by our Healthcare Heroes, the doctors, nurses (and other healthcare professionals) who work tirelessly for many long hours at our hospitals & care facilities.

This will help contribute to giving our Healthcare Heroes the tools they need to provide the highest quality of care to the patients who need it most & save lives. ❤️ Together, we can EMERGE STRONGER after the pandemic.

I'm planning to do a series of running and other fundraising challenges and events in order to try to raise a total of $1,000,000 for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.

Here's a list of the UPCOMING Challenges I'm going to undertake:

10 Marathons in 10 days: July 3-12, 2023 starting each day at 6am and taking between 4:30-5:45 for each run. 

Chicago Marathon Oct 8 2023

London Marathon April 21 2024

Tokyo Marathon TBD

7 Marathons on 7 Continents in 7 days- TBD

First, I ran 12 Marathons in 12 days between July 24th and August 4th back in 2020. Then, I completed 30 marathons in 30 days in May of 2021 raising almost $100,000 for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.

My original intention was to try to do the Guinness World Record for most consecutive ultramarathons in September of 2022. Unfortunately, I got very sick and became bedridden and thus was unable to complete the ultramarathon challenge. In fact, I didn't think I would make it to my next birthday, I was so sick. I was unable to stand up for more than 30 seconds and had a ton of weird symptoms. I spent a month in the hospital while they poked and prodded me to figure out what was wrong and my mental health really suffered as well. I also had to be off work for 3 months and couldn't run or exercise for 6 months. 

Right now I'm getting stronger day by day and I'm hoping to be able to run 10 Marathons in 10 days again and prepare for the Chicago and London marathons. It will be tough and I will run it slow but my goal is to finish and not give up. <3 

My hospital stay made me even more appreciative of the doctors and nurses for their tireless work and gave me a new lease on life. 

It will be very hard but I am hoping that your encouragement, support, and donations to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation will help me get through this even when the going gets tough (because it will)

I will be sharing updates on my progress through Instagram, Facebook and, if possible, my blog.

Please share this campaign, donate and join me for any of the runs on any of the days. I can always use some company during my training runs leading up to the marathon.

WHY AM I DOING THIS?

I've always been extremely passionate about running for a purpose. With the pandemic, our healthcare heroes have been having to work harder and longer and I cannot thank them enough. ❤️ This fundraiser is my way of showing appreciation for the amazing work that they do and for all the lives that they've saved (including that of one of my best friend's back in 2019).

The frontline healthcare workers are going through a challenging time (both physically and mentally). Whether you contribute $5 or $500, you are making a difference in patient care for many years to come. Even if you are not able to donate, I hope that you will be able to share this campaign with your friends, colleagues & family as a way to show support for our Healthcare Heroes.

❤️Your donation, regardless of the amount, will help save lives.❤️

❤️ If you donate to the cause on behalf of your business, I will be more than happy to give your business a shoutout through social media. If interested, connect with me and we will make it happen. I'm willing to work with your marketing needs to make this campaign a success.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS FUNDRAISER:

• Sign up for my 6-Week Kickstart Program HERE.
  I'll donate a portion of the proceeds to this campaign.
• Shop for activewear at Dream Nation Apparel and 10% of the sales will be donated to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. Yes, you can SHOP for a CAUSE!!
• Purchase Goli Gummies here https://go.goli.com/yhempler
  
• Shop for skincare, hair care and supplements at LifeVantage and I will donate my commissions to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation Home | LifeVantage Canada (en)
  
• Share this campaign on Social Media as much as you can!

MY STORY

I work at Viking Air and when I'm not working, I'm running (often for great local charities) in an attempt to make a difference in people's lives through fitness, community stewardship, and health. I also served as a Logistics Officer in the Army Reserves from 2016 to late 2019.

As an internationally published fitness writer, my work previously appeared in Oxygen Magazine, Seaside Magazine, IMPACT Magazine, Canadian Running Magazine, Ageless Living Magazine, Strong Fitness Magazine, CVV Magazine and many other online and print publications. I'm a passionate running and fitness fanatic who started out not being able to run one block without having to stop to catch my breath.

Prior to re-igniting my passion for running, I was a tired, broke university student struggling with establishing a fitness regimen, life, body image and much more. Since my early years of struggling with life, I believe I have come a long way: Boston Marathon Finisher, New York Marathon finisher, multiple 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon races under my belt as well as an ultramarathon. My personal bests include:19:25 for 5k, 40:56 for 10k, 1:28 for Half Marathon and 3:18 for full marathon. It is now my duty to give back as much as I can! ❤️

I've also ran the length of Vancouver Island in 2013 for local charities, and fundraised for many other charities including: Wounded Warriors, Help Fill a Dream, Mustard Seed, Recreation Integration Victoria, BC SPCA. Together with fellow charity runner Jerry Hughes, we've done the 1000 Stair Challenge for Help Fill a Dream Foundation in 2015, we ran from Duncan to Victoria, I ran for 6 Days straight to complete 420km and raise funds for Help Fill a Dream Foundation and we also did the 24 hour run for the Help Fill a Dream Foundation.

Royal Jubilee, Victoria General, and Gorge Road hospitals help Islanders emerge stronger from life's challenges. Today, they are navigating the greatest healthcare challenge of our generation. It's never been more clear how much we all depend on our hospitals and our caregivers. What we do today can help them emerge supported, resilient, and renewed just as they are for us in our times of need. The pandemics domino effects on everyday healthcare don't need to be our next health crisis as long as we act today. Our caregivers have been resolute and tireless in protecting us from the pandemic. They give their all. This is our chance to give back. Thank you for your support!