More than 1,300 people participated in last year’s CIBC Run for the Cure event in Kelowna and organizers are hoping for similar numbers for this year’s event, set for Sunday, Oct. 5. The Run for the Cure has helped raise tens of millions of dollars across Canada over the past 30 years. (Photo supplied)
Despite the many medical advancements made over the past 20 years, the fact remains that breast cancer remains the second-leading cause of cancer-related death among Canadian women.
That’s why it’s so important that the CIBC Run for the Cure event continues to raise tens of millions of dollars for cancer research each and every year, said Lynn Houle, the communications co-ordinator for the Kelowna Run for the Cure event, set for Sunday, Oct. 5.
Last year’s event attracted more than 1,300 participants from across the South Okanagan, including several from Osoyoos, and organizers are hoping for a similar response this year, said Houle.
“We get people from across the Okanagan Valley and from across the province who come out to support our event,” said Houle. “It’s the biggest single fundraising event for breast cancer held in Canada every year and we’re very happy so many people come out to support a great cause.”
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure is the largest single-day, volunteer-led fundraising event for breast cancer in Canada, she said. The 23rd annual CIBC Run for the Cure takes place on Sunday, October 5th at City Park in Kelowna. Opening ceremonies begin at 9:30 a.m.
The CIBC Run for the Cure has taken place in Kelowna since 1995. Since then, the event has raised over $4.24 million in Kelowna alone.
In 2013, Kelowna raised $177,239 (as of Run day) and 1,301 participants joined the walk/run.
In 2013, the BC/Yukon Region had over 16,000 participants contribute to a regional fundraising total of $2.6 million. Across Canada, participants in 66 communities raised a total of $27 million.
In BC there are nine Run communities, including Abbotsford, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George, Surrey, Vancouver, Vernon and Victoria
The CIBC Run for the Cure is a driving force that supports the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the leading national volunteer-led organization dedicated to a vision of creating a future without breast cancer, said Houle.
Every single dollar raised in B.C. from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure will stay in our region to help fund relevant and innovative research and to support and advocate for the breast cancer community, she said.
The CIBC Run for the Cure connects over 130,000 individuals in communities across the country for a remarkable single-day experience that inspires, informs and celebrates life, she said.
Houle said cancer touches almost every single Canadian and it has certainly affected her life in a very real way.
“I lost my mother to cancer and my son is a breast cancer survivor,” she said. “My son was first diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago. While the vast majority of people who get breast cancer are women, it does affect men.
The Kelowna Run for the Cure event has helped raise just over $4 million since 1995 and has helped fund significant cancer research projects over the past 20 years, she said.
Alice Lam, event promotions officer with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, said every volunteers who lends a hand in co-ordinating and organizing Run for the Cure events deserves credit for making this event such an amazing success.
“This event is completely organized and run by volunteers across the country and they do an incredible job,” she said.
The Run for the Cure remains so important because the number of Canadian women who are diagnosed with breast cancer shows no signs of diminishing, said Lam.
“The fact remains one in nine Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and far too many will die due to breast cancer,” she said. “We must continue to raise money and fund research to try and find a cure.”
Tanya Tressel, branch manager of the CIBC office in downtown Osoyoos, said anyone wishing to participate in this year’s event in Kelowna can pick up pledge forms at the Osoyoos branch.
The branch is also selling merchandise to help raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, including T-shirts, lunch kits and tote bags.
To register, volunteer or donate, visit the Run for the Cure website at www.cibcrunforthecure.com. For more information about CIBC Run for the Cure in Kelowna, call the general information line at 250-712-6266 or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RunfortheCureKelowna.
For more information about the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, go online and visit www.cbcf.org or contact the regional office at 604-683-2873.
Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CBCF.BCYukon.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
