Last Sunday, October 3, more than 2500 people participated in the 19th annual Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Nearly doubling the original goal, Mississauga participants raised over $600,000 for breast cancer research, education and awareness programs.
It was early in the morning, but spirits were high as participants assisted each other in securing their run sheets to the backs of their t-shirts. Each was dedicated to a loved one that had suffered from or is struggling with the disease.
Spigel Hall was packed with volunteers and runners, all eager to start the run. Young children wearing white t-shirts swept the floor as they skipped around their parents. A cluster of elderly women sported pink fuzzy cowboy hats. Others wore pink tutus, war paint, and bandanas, prolifically showing their support for the cause.
The University of Toronto raised over $80,000, taking the top spot as the number one fundraising university. UTM’s very own Undergraduate Commerce Society ranked fifth amongst university teams having raised over $7800. Team leader and accounting Sunil Shah began the team in July 2010 with an initial goal of $1500. The team quickly expanded from 10 to 50 members as UCS surpassed their goal. UCS welcomed all students, friends, and family to join their team.
“Cancer affects us all. It is up to us to create hope, and as long as cancer takes lives we must continue the fight to find a cure,” Shah emphasized after the race. “I thought our goal would not be achieved so our team stepped up and not only met the goal, but surpassed it.” At the awards ceremony at the end of the run, UCS received the School Team Challenge Award for raising the most donations at the UTM run site. Over 150 teams participated.
“It was inspiring to run with people who have been affected by the disease,” said fourth year commerce student, Farhan Lodhi. “Everyone did their part for the team and it made a huge difference.”
Throughout the 5 km trek, people walked, jogged, and skipped along Mississauga Road and the surrounding area. Equipped with water, iPods, baby strollers, and dogs, participants laughed, conversed, and reflected quietly to themselves.
“It was my first time doing the run and I was touched by the amazing turnout,” said third year biology student Nicole Ferreira who attended the run as part the UTM Women’s Centre. “It felt good to finish the run and be part of such a powerful event. I definitely want to run again next year.”
In total, the nation wide event raised a record breaking 33 million dollars, a 25% increase from last year.
