Tens of thousands of walkers and runners expected at Maisonneuve park in Montreal, the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City and Jacques-Cartier park in Sherbrooke to take part in CIBC Run for the Cure

MONTREAL, Sept. 24, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation invite the public to turn out in large numbers for the 16^th CIBC Run for the Cure, taking place Sunday, September 30, simultaneously in Montreal (Maisonneuve park), Quebec City (Plains of Abraham) and Sherbrooke (Jacques-Cartier park). This event, which rallies support for the cause, has the ambitious goal of raising more than $2.5 million for the fight against breast cancer, the most common cancer to affect Canadian women.

"I personally encourage anyone who is sympathetic to the cause of breast cancer to be part of the solution by putting together a team with their friends and family on September 30. Everyone has a personal reason for getting involved in the event, and I'm always impressed by the incredible energy of each participant. This is what makes the event such a success from year to year," says Mitsou Gélinas, who is in her seventh year as spokesperson for the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation and Run for the Cure in Quebec.

Many well-known figures will be on hand to support the cause. In addition to Mitsou, singer Marilou will take part in the Montreal event, which will be emceed by Bruno Morissette from Rouge FM.

In Sherbrooke, participants will have an opportunity to meet, among others, Andréanne Morin, silver medalist in the women's eights at the recent London Olympics. The emcee for this event will be Valérie Sirois, and Stéphane Côté, up-and-coming singer-songwriter, will be on site to motivate the participants in Québec.

The money raised by the CIBC Run for the Cure, the Foundation's main fundraiser, will go to developing new treatments and ensuring that women affected by breast cancer receive better care. Last year, more than $2 million was raised by the three Quebec events, and the proceeds were used to fund research and support programs at several centres in the province.

With the many investments made in recent years, the survival rate for the disease has risen from 71% to 88% in less than 40 years. With 5,500 Quebec women diagnosed this year, this means over 1,000 more women will survive past the five-year mark thanks to these advances. In spite of all this, too many women are still dying from breast cancer, and it's essential to continue efforts to mobilize support so that one day we can live in a world without breast cancer.

"When the survival rate for women with breast cancer rises, the hope that motivates the walkers also increases each year," concludes Francine Cléroux, president of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.

About the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation

A non-profit organization, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation has a mission to fund research into breast cancer, promote breast health through education and awareness-raising, and facilitate support for people affected by breast cancer. Since it was created in 1994, the Foundation has raised more than $20 millionto enable Quebec's medical community to fund research projects and support programs. For more information, visit www.rubanrose.org

Text PINKto 41010 to make a $5 donation to the Foundation.

 

SOURCE: QUEBEC BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

Charles Durivage
Morin Relations Publiques
514 289-8688, ext. 227
Cell.: 514 894-4186
[email protected]

Caroline Couillard
Morin Relations Publiques
514-289-8688, ext. 233 
Cell: 514-755-5729
[email protected]