Team Tyrel - Virtual 5K Run/Walk

This is a virtual 5K event to raise money for Tyrel and his family. He is a 13 year old boy awaiting a kidney transplant in Ontario, Canada. 

While hospital expenses are covered things like lost wages, parking, transportation, tutoring, special dietary needs, and even some medications are not. Tyrel has dialysis three days a week in another city not to mention all the other appointments and tests. The expense is great. We are hoping to alleviate some of the financial strain that his parents, Phil & Sandi, are under by hosting this event. 

Update: Wednesday August 21st Tyrel underwent his kidney transplant. The surgery went well and he is out of ICU now. However, Tyrel will be in the hospital for a few months and then continuing with care at home. Your help is still needed because the costs at the hospital where he is staying are great especially the parking fees and such. 

How does a virtual event work? 
Because this is a virtual event you can signup and participate anywhere in the world. You have until September 15th to complete your activity. You can run, walk, hike, cycle, ride a horse... whatever you like. 

When you register for the event you will pay a registration fee. While there is a nominal fee for the RaceMenu service, the remainder will be donated directly to the family.

Submit Your Details
Once you complete your 5K we ask that details are sent in about the date, time, and place as well as a photo(s) if possible. You could even include a shot of your GPS data if you use such a device. We will share this with Tyrel as a fun way to show support and cheer him on in his fight. 

When you submit your information we will email you a virtual medal/completion badge that you can place on your social media page(s). Information on how to make your submission are included in the registration confirmation letter. Please note that the first set of virtual medals/completion badges will be sent out August 25th.

After speaking with many runners, we decided against traditional finishers' medals due to cost. We felt that the money was better spent going to help the Thomson family.  

Want to Donate Without Signing Up? 
Phil (Tyrel's Dad) has set up a donations page on PayPal. Here is the link...

Donate to Team Tyrel

More Info. 

If you would like to learn more about Tyrel's story, please visit the Team Tyrel Facebook page. 

About the Thumbs-Up Photo

This came from Phil, Tyrel's Dad. "Some background on this picture, this was taken the after Tyrel was re-admitted to McMaster after his 2nd catheter had just fallen out at home (very scary). This was later in the evening when we were just settling into the ward and he wanted to send a picture to his Mom (who had checked into the Ronald McDonald house for the night) to show that that everything was going to be ok. Keep in mind at this time he knew he was going to have another surgery in a day or so. Such a brave guy, he ended up being in for almost the whole week, and has since battled an infection in the new catheter and had to have it removed and a 4th one put in..."

Be a Donor
We also ask that you consider registering as a donor at beadonor.ca if you are in Ontario Canada or with an organization local to you. Just one organ donor can save eight lives.

Your support and generosity is appreciated. We have one last thing to ask of you... please share this event to help spread the word.

Thank you,


Team Tyrel