My personal experience at
Brampton's CIBC Run for the Cure – Sunday, Oct. 1st

Brampton - Although the weather forecast called for showers on Sunday morning Oct 1st in Brampton, the sun was shining brightly as thousands of men, women and children gathered together to support the fight against breast cancer.

The different coloured breast cancer t-shirts worn by the participants put into perspective for me the number of people either directly or indirectly touched by this disease.Breast cancer survivors wore pink t-shirts.CIBC employees wore red breast cancer t-shirts.The volunteers with their grey t-shirts did a fantastic job handling participants' inquiries, registration, giving out refreshments, and taking care of the participants' belongings. I personally would like to thank the volunteers for the countless hours of time and energy they put in to making Brampton's CIBC Run for the Cure event operate smoothly.

I also thank the Mayor of Brampton, Susan Fennell, for delivering a powerful, yet inspiring speech for everyone to fight breast cancer, the Brampton Firefighters for getting the participants warmed up before the race, and all the corporate sponsors who generously donated their products, funding and time for the event.

I would also like to thank the large number of run and walk participants, those who wore white t-shirts. I was in awe and touched by their solidarity and their support. Sounds of people cheering for the bands and singers and also sounds of quiet sobbing of remembrance filled the air.

Men, women, children and teenagers ran or walked in remembrance of the women in their lives; mothers, aunts, sisters, wives, co-workers, customers and friends who are currently receiving breast cancer treatment and for those who have lost the fight.

I ran for a few people.

I ran for my customer who is also a dear friend to me.Whenever I visit her to deliver her order, she is always positive and smiling. Her spiritual faith keeps her moving forward in her life, despite her chemotherapy treatments.

I ran for a woman I met through one of my husband's co-workers. Despite having both breasts removed and with her symptoms of fatigue and nausea from treatment, she and her friend decided to start their own EBay business.

As I was running in the last stretch of the course towards the finish line, I experienced a vision of one of my relatives who I didn't get the chance to meet when I was a child back in the 70's.She had both of her breasts removed; unfortunately the cancer had already spread to the rest of her body. She was only in her 40's when she passed away.

Before the race, I was interviewed by Ms. Andrea Civichino of Rogers Cable Television. Although I was honoured for her request for my comment on the CIBC Run for the Cure event, I experienced
disappointment and some sadness because I didn't reach my fund-raising target for the event.

However, I experienced a revelation that helped me put things into proper perspective. Finding the cure for breast cancer isn't limited to an annual fund-raising event such as the CIBC Run for the Cure on Oct 1st. We're also not limited to the month of October, which focuses on the breast cancer awareness. We have 365 days to concentrate and focus our efforts to help every woman and man afflicted with this disease.

Business owners can donate a percentage of their sales, door prizes, or their products to the cause. Schools, churches, and non-profit organizations can host fundraising events through product sales and admission tickets to their events. Individuals can donate online or send a cheque of any amount to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. We can also volunteer our time and our skills at different Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation events. 

Mostly importantly, we can listen to breast cancer survivors as they tell their stories. Let's help them share their joys and their pain.