Abbotsford, BC – May 6, 2026 – Ten years ago, a random stabbing at Abbotsford Senior Secondary took the life of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer. The tragedy was widely covered across BC, including in the Abbotsford News. But Letisha’s story has not ended there.

Before her passing, Letisha had participated in Run For Water for five years, fundraising to help build wells and provide clean water to communities in need.

Her father, Uli Reimer, said her motivation was simple. “I think the reason she started running Run For Water is for something so simple to impact somebody so far abroad,” he said. “She was humble and felt this was a need she could help meet, and that she could take part in helping other girls her age.”

In 2017, the Reimer family and Run For Water partnered together to raise funds for a well in Letisha’s name.

The response from the Abbotsford community was overwhelming. Donations exceeded the original goal, funding a well, a garden, a new school in Freselem, northern Ethiopia, and a second well, all built in her honour.

Later that year, Letisha’s parents, Uli and Ellie Reimer, along with her siblings, visited Freselem to see her legacy in action. Uli shared at the time, “I can see her in the smiles on their faces. I can see her in every single one of them.”

One way to reflect on Letisha’s legacy and the Reimer family’s journey to Ethiopia is through a 16-minute documentary produced in 2017 with support from Bell Media. The film can be viewed at runforwater.ca/letisha

Ellie, her mother, shared, “I think everybody who has lost somebody’s biggest fear is that their person won’t be remembered anymore, that nobody will speak their name. That well has her name. She was so young and still had so many chances to do so many amazing things. But even though she’s gone now, even in her death, she’s making these big changes and doing these amazing things.”

Now, in 2026, Run For Water continues to remember Letisha Reimer. Her legacy lives on through the lives changed by these projects and through the ongoing work of the community she inspired.

The 19th annual Run For Water takes place Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Mill Lake Park. The community is invited to honour Letisha’s memory by participating in the event, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines in support of a cause that was close to her heart. Donations can be made in honour of Letisha through the Team Letisha fundraising page at: runforwater.ca/teamletisha. Registration details are available at runforwater.ca.