Runners take off from the starting line during the annual CIBC Run for the Cure in this October 2019 file photo. Last year's event raised roughly $35,000 for breast cancer research.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken
The Canadian Cancer Society’s CIBC Run for the Cure has been bringing Canadians together in the fight against breast cancer for the better part of three decades – and the annual event isn’t about to let COVID-19 get in the way.
As Canadian Cancer Society signature programs specialist Sarah Eccleston points out, the pandemic has brought about many stoppages and slowdowns – including forcing the Run for the Cure to take on a virtual format – but breast cancer remains as big a concern as ever.
“In the face of the global pandemic that we’ve all experienced, unfortunately breast cancer didn’t stop and every day 75 Canadians are still hearing the diagnosis that they have breast cancer,” said Eccleston. “We’re really going to be relying on support in the community to come out and still partake in this virtual fun event.”
Eccleston says the Run for the Cure – scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4 in communities across the country – is experiencing an anticipated dip in registration due to COVID-19, but she’s still confident the event will reach its goal of 55 per cent of last year’s attendance.
Participants will still be in for a riveting experience, says Eccleston, as an opening ceremony will be livestreamed at 9:30 a.m. on the morning of the run, hosted by Canadian singer-songwriter Jully Black and featuring a number of entertainment acts and inspirational speakers.
“It’s going to be a 45-minute virtual ceremony with entertainment, a CIBC speaker, a Canadian Cancer Society speaker as well as a hope speaker montage … which are those directly affected by breast cancer from across Canada,” she said. “Since we can’t meet in person this year, we’ve reimagined the CIBC Run for the Cure in Medicine Hat and across Canada into a one-of-a-kind experience with both physical and virtual components.”
After the ceremony, participants are encouraged to forge their own path in their respective neighbourhoods for a 1K or 5K walk or run. Eccleston says a special Spotify playlist will be available to offer a shared experience to participants across the nation, while the CIBC Run for the Cure app will allow everyone to create their own unique virtual runner.
“Runners and walkers are actually able to customize their own running avatar,” she said. “Through the app they can also track their fitness goals – different levels of fitness, their walking or running kilometres per day throughout the month. As they fundraise and track their fitness they’re able to unlock different rewards in the app, so different levels of customization on that fun avatar.”
To register, donate or learn more about the CIBC Run for the Cure, visit cibcrunforthecure.com.
