Sherry Ogasawara gets the crowd warmed up for the 2013 Run for the Cure

Prince George, BC – Approximately 350 people made sure pink was part of their wardrobe as they gathered in the Civic Centre Plaza for the 22nd annual Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.

"We are all affected by breast cancer, whether directly as a woman affected by the disease or as a spouse, family member, or friend," Foundation Director for the BC-Yukon Region, Ledford Lilley told the crowd of volunteers and participants.  "The disease is one that touches us all."

Lilley says he was appalled at how little he knew about the disease when he joined the foundation a decade ago.  Now, he says, "I take pride in the fact that we are all better informed about the disease – that this foundation and all of you have played a major role in advancing the cause of breast cancer research, awareness, and advocacy.

The Cancer Foundation spokesperson says breast cancer mortality rates are down by 30-percent and the relative five-year survival rate is over 88-percent nationally, and over 91-percent here in BC.  "That’s the result of research and, specifically, from improvements in screening and advances in treatment," said Lilley.  "And, while there is still much work to be done, each one of you can feel proud to have been a part of the great strides that we have made today."

Prince George-Valemount MLA, Shirley Bond, encouraged a cheer from ‘the sea of pink’ to support those families impacted by breast cancer.

"It is always an emotional morning for me and my family and my friends that are here today because there can’t be anything more difficult than hearing that diagnosis," says Bond, shown at left ‘warming up’ with her grandson.

But she said the day is also about celebrating the survivors and progress.  "When we look back, we didn’t have a cancer centre that long ago, we didn’t have a cancer lodge, and we didn’t have treatment options right across northern BC," said the Liberal MLA.  "So, we’ve made progress."

"But today we’re running for something else, we’re running for a future where we don’t have to use a cancer centre or a cancer lodge – we want to make sure that we have a future without breast cancer,"  said Bond.  "So a huge thank you to our organizing team – you guys are awesome."

Photo at right shows local run Co-Directors, Shari MacLellan and Renee McCloskey, taking a brief break from their responsibilities to enjoy the pre-run fun.  Both women work tirelessly through the year to coordinate volunteers and fundraise.

While it is the 22nd year for the run nationally, the local event has been held since 2001, with the community raising $1.2-million dollars towards breast cancer research and education.