TORONTO: The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and CIBC are inviting Canadians to rally together in person at the 31st annual CCS-CIBC Run for the Cure, taking place on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in more than 50 communities across the country.
As the largest nationwide volunteer-led initiative in support of breast cancer, funds raised from this event will go towards supporting one in eight Canadian women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Funds will also go towards ground breaking research, support programs and advocacy efforts to ensure people affected by breast cancer live longer, healthier lives.
In their media release, CCS, chief executive officer, Andrea Seale spoke about the excitement surrounding this event. It will be in-person, after two years of virtual events. In addition, this annual event has served facilitated a greater awareness of what we know about how to prevent, diagnose and treat breast cancer.
"We look forward to welcoming participants back to an in-person Run after two years of virtual events. It's because of funds raised through the CIBC Run for the Cure that we know more than ever before how to prevent, diagnose, and treat breast cancer," says Andrea Seale, chief executive officer, CCS. "Thanks to our supporters and partners, important progress is being made. Over the years, we have mobilized communities to support the breast cancer cause, worked with governments to reduce breast cancer risk and invested in life-changing and life-saving research. And we're not done yet."
According to the CCS, Breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer among Canadian women, with one in eight expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime. A recent survey conducted in partnership with CCS and Canadian-owned market research and analytics company, Leger, found that 40 per cent of adult Canadians report being directly impacted by breast cancer, either through a personal diagnosis or a diagnosis of someone close to them.
- In particular, 18 per cent of Canadians report having someone in their family who has been diagnosed and 30% have a friend or colleague who has been diagnosed.
- Today, 61 per cent of Canadians are concerned that someone they care about will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
- With breast cancer being the most diagnosed cancer among Canadian women, 91 per cent of Canadians think it is important to support fundraising efforts for breast cancer research.
Although breast cancer affects many Canadians, 82 per cent are optimistic that current breast cancer research and clinical trials will save lives. This positive outlook is well-founded with the five-year breast cancer survival rate continually improving over the past three decades.
Today, 89% of women and 80% of men with breast cancer survive at least five years past their diagnosis. This notable progress can be attributed to Canadians' continued commitment to improving the lives of people living with and beyond breast cancer. In 2021 alone, $11 million was raised by the 20,000 Canadians who came together virtually to participate in the CIBC Run for the Cure.
CCS also shared that for the past 26 years, CIBC has supported the Run as a title partner. Since 1997, more than 10,000 CIBC employees have been a part of this journey annually, “volunteering, fundraising and running in communities across the country to bring Canadians closer to a future without breast cancer, one step at a time.” To date, Team CIBC has raised over $58 million.
Laura Dottori-Attanasio, CIBC’s group head of personal and business banking, and executive run sponsor, stated that the CIBC team remains dedicated to providing real help and making a difference for those affected by breast cancer.
"Each year, CIBC team members come together around a shared purpose with our clients, CCS, and thousands of Canadians to change the future of breast cancer," says Laura Dottori-Attanasio, CIBC's group head of personal and business banking, and executive run sponsor. "This cause is one that impacts so many of us, and our team remains dedicated to providing real help and making a difference for those affected by breast cancer. We look forward to rallying together in communities across the country on October 2 around a united purpose."
Anyone interested can register to run, walk or bike, choosing either a five kilometre or one kilometre route, at a CIBC Run for the Cure site in their community. There is also an option to participate virtually through the My Run. Anywhere. Any Way. program. To learn more, visit cibcrunforthecure.com to sign up, create a team and donate.
