Run for the Cure

About the Run for the Cure

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure is Canada's largest single day, volunteer-led fundraising event dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, education and awareness programs.  Last year, Canadians united to raise over $30 million in the 2011 Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. The fundraising efforts and volunteer support of over 170,000 annual participants allows the Foundation to continue funding groundbreaking research, education, awareness and advocacy initiatives.  For more information check out www.runforthecure.com.

My Participation

I participated in the 5 kms Run for the Cure for the first time in the fall of 2006 after my second chemo treatment.  There was a big group of my co-workers at the Assembly of First Nations that came out to run and walk in support of "AFN TEAM TT".  The National Chief, at the time, was Phil Fontaine and he joined us on that cold, rainy morning too!

National Chief Phil Fontaine & Me - Ottawa 2006

I had planned to participate every year but sometimes plans change and life gets busy with other things.  So in 2007 I was not able to participate because the run fell on the same weekend as my girls' weekend getaway with my high school friends.  They felt bad about that so Trish got us all some pink scarves and some champagne and we did our own "run".  It was more like a gondola ride up the mountain in Collingwood, Ontario and a hike down the hill.  I will never forget how great that day was!

The FPU (don't ask!) - Blue Mountain 2007

In the fall of 2008 I was in for another surgery so missed the run.  2009 and 2010 hockey tournaments got in the way.  I was finally able to do the run again in 2011 and raised $1,500.00.  This time my 13 year old daughter joined me.  We crossed the finish line holding hands and the feeling I had is beyond words.  I felt so alive, so free, so happy and so blessed.  Oh yeah and so out of breath (she's fast)!

Tasza & Me - Run for the Cure 2011

In 2012 our running group expanded to include the whole family.  All four of us just happened to have nothing on our schedules so we were all able to participate.  The kids of course were way ahead of us but Mike ran by my side the entire way.  We managed to raise $2,000.00 for our efforts!  I must say that to have my family with me was absolutely incredible.  I am so proud of us!

Alex, Mike, Tasz & Me - Run for the Cure 2012