Caroline Weber has been battling breast cancer for 20 years.
Weber is a three-time breast cancer survivor and on Sunday, she joined thousands of Edmontonians in the annual CIBC Run for the Cure, raising money and awareness for breast cancer research.
More than 10,000 people participated in Sunday’s run – Canada’s largest single-day, volunteer-led fundraising event for breast cancer research, education and awareness programs.
Weber says she’s seen first-hand the significant advancements to breast cancer treatment over the last 20 years and credits it to those who participate in the run.
“When you go for examinations and so on, the type of equipment that is there now because of fundraisers like this is amazing,” she said.
“The type of treatment, the experiments, all the research that has gone on - it’s so different now than it was 20 years ago, it’s absolutely fantastic what they’ve done for breast cancer.”
On Sunday, Edmontonians donned pink shirts, pants, hats, wigs, even boas and fairy wings – to walk, run and raise nearly $2 million for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
The original tally for money raised was more than $1.7 million and organizers that number was expected to grow as money continues to come in over the next few days.
“The crowd gets bigger and bigger every year,” said Necha Aitken, one of the organizers for the run.
“It’s pretty colossal. I think a lot of people try to outdo each other. It’s pretty cool, people really get into it and it’s definitely awesome to see.”
Click here to view photos from the 2012 CIBC Run for the Cure.
CTV’s Carrie Doll was emcee for the event – and dozens of CTV Edmonton staff also came out to participate on ‘Team Carrie.’
Participants met in Churchill Square for the opening ceremonies and warm-up. After the walk and run, people gathered back in Churchill Square for awards ceremonies. There were also breast cancer survivors sharing their stories – including Monica MacKay.
MacKay was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of last year and says she was in shock when she found out.
“I had found the lump myself,” she said.
After a number of rounds of chemo and radiation therapy, MacKay finished her treatment in May of this year.
“It was a long road,” she said.
Her experience with breast cancer has made her realize life is short, and now she’s living it to the fullest.
I feel fantastic. I feel so good. I have a greater appreciation of things around me. I’m enjoying life.
“Something you wanted to put it off before, you don’t anymore – you just do it and you live life and you’re happy and you have fun,” MacKay said.
She participated in Sunday’s run with a team of 75 people – people who she says supported her throughout her breast cancer journey.
MacKay says it’s encouraging to see so many Edmontonians come out to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
“We’re all pink soldiers, we’re all boobie buddies, we’re all breast friends and we all have one specific goal, we want a future without breast cancer.”
Last year Canadians raised more than $30 million in the Run for the Cure.
