Run For the Cure

RUN FOR THE CURE.
Many can remember, and that not long ago, when a survivor or family member wouldn’t even say the word "cancer." It was the "c" word. Breast wasn’t in the health lexicon in that regard. What an inspirational leap has been taken, when communities can face this bewildering and widespread disease head on.

Yesterday more than 170,000 Canadians from 55 communities participated in this huge volunteer led event. The 17 year success continues, with about $28.5 million raised. The CIBC sponsored Run for the Cure raises money - AND Awareness and Hope. With its pink high profile autumn action, breast cancer activity continues to support patients, survivors and families. Mystery and fear lessen. Comfort and close relations bind and build.

The local and regional impact on support groups is significant. In the Atlantic region of Canada, the strong weekly postings of the Atlantic Breast Cancer Network www.abcn.org reinforce small community activities and support groups. I encourage that site to groups everywhere. Only a small percentage of breast cancers occur in men, so does all this involve males? I think so, not only as an advisor to a breast cancer network, but as an invited participant in discussions on women’s cancers. As with any cancer, but particularly perhaps with breast cancer, men as partners and spouses need to be part of the support and education plan. This isn’t the time to go into the psychological pain many women suffer in their relationships. Public events like the Run help the discussion and awareness development, immensely. Those are visible spin-offs.
The $ funds raised through this event are directed to high-quality research in all areas of breast cancer including education and prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and post-care support. We can only hope that there is a full transparency of where the funds are directed.

Yesterday (but not at the Run), a woman came close and whispered in my ear "the doctor told me this week that I’m cancer free ... I still haven’t told my dad I had cancer, so we can’t share the good news with him." She knew how happy I would be ... we have worked together for the past few years... at the beginning I didn’t think she would find health again. Still sad that she can’t talk about it. That’s changing and her story is one of thousands of good news stories in this country, because of the ongoing fight against breast cancer. Thanks to all participants and organizers, here and around the world.