CALGARY -About 8,000 participants made their way through Willow Park this morning as part of the CIBC Run for the Cure.
Participants wear the name of the person they’re running for on their bibs in lieu of a number.
Those wearing pink shirts are breast cancer survivors.
“To see the people and the countdown for the run to start is just an ‘awe’ moment,” says breast cancer survivor and volunteer run coordinator Diane Martin.
“It’s like your heart just explodes. You see these people and you know they’re all here for one reason and that’s to help survivors and to find research that will have a great impact on finding a cure for cancer.”
The annual event is in its 23rd year. It’s the largest volunteer led fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Organizers anticipate exceeding the $1.6 million raised in 2013.
Breast cancer is a disease that will affect 1 in 9 Canadian women during their lifetime.
According to the latest statistics, it is estimated that 24,400 women and 210 men in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and that 5,000 women and 60 men will die from the disease in 2014.
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