Biggest Losers lose weight but raise money
By Brian CleeveWednesday August 05, 2008
David Goldsmith and Marg McLellan were among the big losers — and winners — at the Cancer the Biggest Loser event.
But Susan McLellan, head of the Myles Miracle Mission CANcer Wellness mission, says that cancer is the biggest loser.
Dan Leach was the biggest loser in terms of body fat with a 5%loss.
The three-month long event generated $18,000 for the local cancer mission.
Goldsmith lost 43 pounds, the largest single amount of the 58 participants, and brought in a little over $2,000 in the three-month challenge. Goldsmith went from 298 to 255 pounds.
Marg McLellan (no relation to Susan) raised $4,500 and dropped from 228 to 203 pounds.
The overall weight loss among the 58 participants is 624 pounds.
Susan McLellan says: “This was the first year of this event and it was a great success. People dropped a lot of weight and raised a lot of money. We had set a goal of $15,000.”
The participants were divided into eight teams and worked with trainers from a couple of local fitness clubs. They were given exercises to do and a diet to follow.
Susan McLellan says she got the idea for the biggest loser from the television show of the same name.
“A lot of people have health concerns, especially being overweight.” Those health issues can contribute toward cancer, she says.
“I’m supposed to get a new knee, but my doctor won’t put me on the list until I lose 100 pounds. This is a start. I’ve talked about losing weight for a long time,” adds Goldsmith, a trustee with the Lambton-Kent District School Board.
“I’ve lost family members and friends to cancer,” he added.
“I plan to keep on trying to lose weight.”
Marg McLellan says, “I lost my mother to cancer when I was 18. I wish there had been something like Myles Miracle Mission around then.”
She adds: “I’m not going to stop just because the competition is over.”
Susan McLellan adds: “This is definitely on for next year.”
