When the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC started 'Run for the Cure' event in 1992, they had about 800 participants; it has now proliferated to a whopping 170,000 people in 2006. This year, the one-day Run for the Cure event has raised nothing less than $23.4 million!
Across 50 communities all over Canada, the run kicked off at 9 a.m. and included 1k and 5k courses that people were free to run or walk. About 100 volunteers were ready with help throughout, and runners were met with cheers all along the way. The most cheerful sight was that of cancer survivors participating in the run, sporting pink T-shirts. Most of the runners were near & dear ones of survivors, or of those who fought and lost.
There was Calgary Transit offering free bus and LRT transportation to all participants wearing Run for the Cure T-shirts from the start of service this morning until 3 p.m.
As per the website www.breastcancer.org, there has been an alarming increase in the incidence of breast cancer among women, from one in 20 in the year 1960 to one in seven today. In this context, Run for the Cure event has been the largest and the most successful fund raising event that has made tremendous advancements in treating cancer.
Research in the past 15 years has brought about earlier detection and more effective treatment, leading to more and more women and men surviving. Breast cancer survivors are experiencing a better quality of life than in the past, with the number of deaths declining steadily since 1993.
Those who missed this year's Run have already begun registering for next year's Run scheduled on Sunday, September 30, 2007. Care to join for a cure?
