More than 20,000 Quebeckers laced up their running shoes for the cause!
MONTREAL, Oct. 6, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Brest Cancer Foundation are pleased to announce that more than 20,000 of Quebeckers took part in the CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday. This annual event, which officially kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month, took place in Montreal, Quebec City and Sherbrooke simultaneously and raised an impressive $2.1 million.
Along with the many personalities who turned out for the event in all three cities, Mitsou Gélinas, the Foundation's spokesperson for the past eight years, took part in the Run with her two daughters, her mother and her sister, DJ Abeille, who also performed at the event.
"It was important for me to have the people I love join me for this year's Run, so they can understand why this cause has been so close to my heart for so many years. I'm very proud they agreed to be a part of this great outpouring of generosity and that they could experience the incredible energy of all these people who take part in the Run," said Mitsou at the end of the event.
CIBC Run for the Cure is the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation's main fundraiser. In addition to raising money, this large gathering also helps raise awareness among the thousands of participants of the importance of early detection, which offers a better chance of survival.
"We're very proud of the fact that great strides have been made in breast cancer research and treatment over the past 25 years. The survival rate has risen from 71% in 1974 to 88% in 2008! Despite this progress, much remains to be done. For the 6,000 mothers, wives and friends who will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in the next year, we must make every effort to act together so that we will one day live in a world without breast cancer," said an emotional Francine Cléroux, CEO of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2014.
The $2.1 million raised this year will enable the Foundation to fulfill each part of its mission: funding research and innovation, making breast health a priority through awareness initiatives and providing information and support to the thousands of women affected by the disease. Added to this amount will be all the donations received through the many awareness and fundraising activities that will take place in October. These include a "Café scientifique" with several breast health experts in Quebec City on October 8, as well as Life after Breast Cancer, a conference in Sherbrooke on October 26.
About the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
A registered charity, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation has a mission to fund research and innovation, support women affected by the disease and their families, and promote their interests, as well as making breast health a priority through education and awareness initiatives. Since it was created in 1994, the Foundation has granted more than $23 million to Quebec's medical community for research projects and support programs. For more information, visit www.rubanrose.org.
Image with caption: "The 17th edition of the CIBC Run for the Cure took place today in Montreal, Quebec city and Sherbrooke. More than 20,000 people joined Mitsou Gélinas, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation spokesperson in order to support the fight against breast cancer. (CNW Group/Fondation du cancer du sein du Québec) (CNW Group/Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131006_C7639_PHOTO_EN_31751.jpg
SOURCE: Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
Camille Lemay
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Caroline Couillard
Morin Relations Publiques
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