The Fight

Today marks the 19th annual Run for the Cure.  I take my hat off to all those who are participating today.  The run started in 1992 and has now become Canada's largest single-day, volunteer-led fundraising event dedicated to breast cancer research, education and awareness.  The event is now run in 56 communities across Canada.  Last year $26.5 million was raised!  That's truly incredible.  Hopefully this year brings similar success.

Breast cancer is cancer originating from the breast tissue.  Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common type of non-skin cancer in women and the fifth most common cause of cancer death.  The cancer will effect one in every eight females.  How many women and girls do you know?  More than eight, I'm thinking.  A woman dies every 13 minutes from breast cancer.  Cancer tarnishes families and tries to destroy friendships.  It always gets in the way and is never welcome.  I hate it. 

I hope this is the last Run for the Cure. 

I say that because I hope they find a cure from the bottom of my heart.  I hope that there's no need for this fundraising run every again.  But until that day, it is truly inspiring and uplifting to see that there are still so many caring people in the world that willing to fight - willing to fight for our moms, our aunts, our girlfriends and wives, our sisters, our teachers, our friends, our cousins, our grandmas, our daughters, our fathers and brothers and grandfathers, our neighbours, our coworkers, and everyone else this wicked disease has ever touched.

Breast cancer has no age restriction.  I urge all my family and friends to begin self-exams regularly.  The sooner it's found, the better the chance they can get 'what doesn't belong' out of there. 

Again, thank you to all the wonderful, amazing, caring people out there who ran today.  Your efforts are not overlooked.  Much respect and praise goes out to you.