In spite of the cold, wet weather this weekend, well over three hundred participants plus many more survivors and supporters gathered in Hollinger Park for the third Timmins Running of the CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday.
Participants had the option of completing a 1km walk or a 5km run from Hollinger Park, around Gillies Lake and back to the park to meet their pledge commitments in the fight against breast cancer.
“This was the second official year and third year doing the run in Timmins,” said Kristen Elvestead, Volunteer Run Coordinator for the event, “The first year was as a connected community to test the waters and see what it was like.”
Since that first Run for the Cure event in Timmins, things have only been getting bigger and better.
This year, there were approximately thirty teams entered along with the hundreds of individual participants.
As of Sunday, event organizers were able to proclaim that the 2014 CIBC Run for the Cure in Timmins raised over $100,000 to fund the fight against breast cancer.
The funds raised at this event help support innovative research that includes exploration of the genetic causes of breast cancer that could lead to improved risk assessment as well as tailored prevention and treatment options.
As much as the CIBC Run for the Cure is promoted as a fund raising event, it’s important to remember that there’s more to the event than just money.
“It’s important to celebrate those who are fighting the disease and to raise awareness and to think of those friends and family members that we’ve lost along the way,” said Elvestead.
In recognizing the efforts of the team and individual participants, Fiona Legere of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation thanked all involved, adding ““The turnout & enthusiasm today has been incredible”.
Leger and other event officials went on to give out a number of awards.
“Through innovative fund raising events and passionate participation in the CIBC Run for the Cure, corporate teams from across the country have engaged their fellow employees, families, friends and communities to rally in support of the foundation’s vision of creating a future without breast cancer,” said Leger.
This year, the Corporate Spirit Award went to the PGM Gold Diggers for raising more than $3,097.
The Friends and Family Team Challenge Award Recognizes the team in communities across the country who came together and demonstrated enthusiasm and energy in supporting this great and worthwhile cause.
This award recognizes teams of 10 or more friends, family or members of the community that deposited the most donations by October 3.
The Friends and Family Team Challenge Award for 2014 went to Save Second Base for raising $7,650.
CIBC Run for the Cure Determination Awards recognize the 3 individual participants who raised the most money by October 3.
The 2014 winners are Rachel Bilodeau for raising $2,540, Elizabeth Reid for raising $2,150 and Leah Blachette for raising $2,035.
Women’s Team Challenge Award recognizes the top women’s teams that have demonstrated excellence in both fund raising and team spirit.
The award represents all the Canadian women who are leading the charge in raising funds for breast cancer research.
This year, the Women’s Team Challenge Award goes to the Wahgoshig Pink Ladies.
School Team Challenge Award is presented to the local elementary or secondary school that deposited the most donations by October 3.
The 2014 winner of the School Team Challenge Award goes to the O’Gorman High School team Good Knight Cancer.
Although the 2014 CIBC Run for the Cure is now over, the fight against breast cancer still continues.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to help fund research and treatment of breast cancer can do so at www.runforthecure.com.
(Photo: The Good Knight Cancer team from O’Gorman High School raised over $2,000.00 to support the CIBC Run for the Cure. Dave Kramer for TimminsToday)
