Hundreds came out to Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on Saturday to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and work the finish line with an array of funky colours.
“We’re just here supporting my wife. She went through breast cancer just this year and we just came out to support her and everyone else going through this and having a blast,” said Trevor McGee.
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The event feature a 1-kilometre kid-friendly walk and a 5-kilometre adult run.
Mary Telford, who was assigned ambassador of Colours of Hope 2017, also came out with her family.
“My grandma passed away from cancer nine years ago. Today would have been her 86th birthday so for my family, this was a birthday party,” said Telford.
Participants came for a variety of reasons and people. But one thing they all had in common was they arrive dressed in white, but left covered from head to toe in colours.
Non-toxic powder is thrown throughout, turning the 1-km and 5-km course into a colour party.
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“The colour symbolizes hope and happiness and we’re raising funds for life-saving cancer research and programs and services for the community,” said fundraising specialist with the Canadian Cancer Society, Arlene Godby.
Participants raise money to help meet the goal of $15,000 this year.
This week, the Canadian Cancer Society released a study stating our health-care system incurs $6.5 billion in costs each year, from smoking alone.
And that’s one of the many reasons people came out to fundraise and show their colours.