Advocacy, fundraising ‘driving real change’

Karen Kuzmich, from the Canadian Cancer Society, on the left, participated in Sunday’s CIBC Run for the Cure with a local CIBC team, including Carmen Locke, Tara Millen, Laury Penders, Grace Locke and Wendy McIsaac.

Chris Abbott

Editor

Karen Kuzmich from the Canadian Cancer Society, a manager of cancer prevention programs and services, officially kicked off the CIBC Run for the Cure in Simcoe during Sunday’s opening ceremonies.

Kuzmich thanked everyone for participating and raising vital funds for lifesaving cancer research and the various support programs.

“For one powerful day, people in communities like this across Canada are coming together to run, walk, raise funds and honour people in our lives who have been affected by breast cancer,” said Kuzmich Sunday at the Lions Ball Park in Simcoe. “But the impact of this one day go far beyond today and beyond the finish line. It’s all of you that help make this lifesaving breast cancer research possible, and help us fund the compassionate care services that give people hope.

“The diagnosis of breast cancer today is very different than it was decades ago,” said Kuzmich, noting that advocacy and fundraising are “driving real change.”

“Together we have changed the breast cancer landscape over the past 30 years. Since this event began in 1992, the Run has raised an astounding $522 million for the breast cancer cause. In that same amount of time, the breast cancer death rate has been cut by nearly a half.

“So we’re going to keep that momentum going with events like this, and others,” Kuzmich said, thanking 29-year flagship sponsor CIBC and the local Run committee.

“Many, many volunteers make this event happen. A lot of behind the scenes energy and thought and planning go into an event like this.”

Kuzmich also recognized the people who are the ‘heart and soul’ of the Run for the Cure, the partners of hope – people living with breast cancer, survivors, and those carrying a genetic risk for the disease.

“We run in your honour. We run beside you and we run always with you in our hearts and our minds.”

“For nearly three decades, Team CIBC has walked and run with our communities across Canada, raising awareness and funds,” said Matthew Doucher, representing CIBC at the Run for the Cure in Simcoe.

“Because for us, this is personal too,” said Doucher, noting that approximately one in eight Canadian women are diagnosed with breast cancer.

In 2024 about 30,500 people were diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada, he said, and nearly 5,500 lost their lives to the disease.

“This is why we come together as a community. Every single one of us is making an impact long after this event is over… because the end of the Run is just the beginning of your impact. The funds raised across the country will fund cutting-edge research, community support, and more help to create a better future for people impacted by breast cancer.”