This year in Canada, an estimated 22,200 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of those, approximately 5,300 will die from the disease.
Many women who have won their battles, or are still fighting, participated in the Run for the Cure, which took place Oct. 1. More than 170,000 people were expected to attend nationwide in more than 50 communities.
Diane Mitchell, member of the “Sister’s Pink” team, was one such participant. She walked with two of her friends, who are breast cancer survivors. All 11 "pink sisters" began their day decked out in hot pink feather boas. Many others joined in the fun with a variety of rosé accessories from cowboy hats, to sweaters for their furry friends.
Many ran or walked in memory of a lost loved one with hopes for a future without breast cancer. The day was about raising awareness, raising funds and most of all, raising hope that someday soon a cure will be found.
Fundraising participants wore white "Run" t-shirts, while survivors and those battling cancer were given pink shirts. In addition to the run activities, participants could also write messages on the "Wall of Hope."
Now in its 15th year, more than one million people have participated since the Run for the Cure began in 1992. The first run was held at High Park in Toronto and attracted 1,500 participants. This year, 13,000 people began their run at Nathan Phillips Square. As of the end of race day, the 2006 Run had raised $23.4 million nationwide.
Fundraising teams ranged from family and friends to employer sponsored groups. One such employer, La Vie En Rose in Scarborough, offered to match dollar for dollar any funds raised by the employees of the store.
According to race official, Harold Kingston, chair of the national board of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, said the run is a "shining example of the power of determined volunteers, motivated participants and committed corporate partners to create a future without breast cancer."
The CIBC-sponsored run is organized entirely by volunteers and the staff at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Of the funds raised, Kingston says 75 per cent will stay in the area where the money was raised to "support local research and educational initiatives, while 25 per cent goes to fund national research programs."
