HALIFAX – October is breast cancer awareness month, and several local events are planned to promote the need to get checked early and often.
The biggest one, Run for the Cure on Sunday in Halifax, is a fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
People will run, walk and push carriages during the event, which is marking its 20th anniversary in Halifax.
“We’re really excited,” said Jaime Legere, the Atlantic director of the event. “We’ve reached out to a lot of people to come out to celebrate the 20th year.”
Each year, the event attracts a large number of people. Legere said organizers are expecting up to 5,000 participants this year.
“Everybody has been touched by breast cancer in one way or another,” she said.. “It doesn’t affect just the person, it affects the family. It affects the friends.”
Legere said some of the teams running are comprised entirely of breast cancer survivors.
One of those survivors is Leslie Keevil. After a clean bill of health following a mammogram in June 2013, Keevil found a lump just five months later.
“I have this habit, I rub my collar bone sometimes and I just sort of rubbed a little bit lower and I found it,” says Keevil.
An ultrasound found 13 lumps. Keevil had a mastectomy and started treatment and remains on medication, but her prognosis is good.
“Early detection is most definitely the key,” she said.
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Keevil will tell her story before the event on Sunday and then take part with her group “Fight Girls.”
“Going through something like this, you really do get to understand the relationships and the family and friends that you have,” she said.
Legere said Keevil is a fighter.
“I cannot wait to hear her speak,” she said.
In 2010, participants raised more than $1 million, the event’s highest total ever. Organizers aren’t expecting to break that mark this time, but are optimistic
“Last year we raised almost $650,000. in Halifax and we’re aiming for the same,” Legere said.
The Run for the Cure opening ceremonies get underway at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, and runners will start at 10 a.m. from the Emera Oval in Halifax.
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