On October 5, 2014 I walked (not ran) the CIBC Run for the Cure, accompanied by my daughter (above) and my brother. One of my sisters also ran the event overseas - twice I believe. Family and friends supported me and my kids in our fundraising efforts. Thank you to all those who supported me, supported others and walked, ran or made the event happen.
I was never one to be drawn into the marketing side of these events. While I have always supported fund raising programs and participated these as well as awareness campaigns I was always skeptical about the events as a whole. They seemed more of a glossy advertisement to beef up the presence of the event sponsors with less focus on the actual cause. It seemed to me that when the big sponsors got behind the events, the meaning was lost and it became more of flashy spectacle. More about the gifts and giveaways then the cause. And really...where did all that money raised go? Ok, I'm now old enough to freely admit that I am frequently wrong - and this is one of those times.
The Run for the Cure (which in my case became the Walk for the Cure) is much more. It is about fundraising, awareness and education, honoring those who have battled and lost as well as those who have battled and won and their supporters. It builds community, allows those who believe in the cause to work to eradicate breast cancer to celebrate their achievements.
Going through treatment I can see how the money for research has helped to change treatment so that it is not only more successful but more manageable for patients. Even in the past months I've seen the treatment patterns change as the research is ongoing. There have been great strides in the research, fundraising and awareness and best of all survivor rates for breast cancer in particular. Why breast cancer, well my theory is that it's due to the fact that breast cancer primarily effects women and women are great at organizing to make things happen. Just think of school fundraising programs...primarily women on those organizing committees - yes? Yeah for women! Sorry guys!
We may not be able to support every cause (cancer, mental health, poverty, equality, foreign aid- the list is endless) that comes along but at least I know have a renewed faith in the benefits of fundraising programs of all sizes. We can all do our part either through financial or moral support of those participating, It's as just putting one foot in front of the other.
Now I'm a Believer Yeahh!!!! ( Then I Saw Her Face -The Monkees) And, I'm ready for next year's Run.
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