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A first of its kind in British Columbia, the 60 kilometre walk will raise funds for breast cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency
January 13, 2004, Vancouver, BC - Today, the BC Cancer Foundation has announced The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, a two-day, 60 kilometre walk to raise funds for breast cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency. Thousands of women and men will unite for one weekend, August 20-22, 2004, in Vancouver, and walk 60 kilometres in support of the BC Cancer Foundation.
It is a weekend of hope, as the participants will honour lives lost, celebrate survivors, and help raise important funds for breast cancer research. Each registrant will receive coaching in order to not only be able to walk the 60 kilometres over two days but also to raise a minimum of $2000. Walkers will camp out together, as well as participate in pre-event workshops that will assist them to be successful.
"This is a phenomenal new initiative to aid us in raising important funds for breast cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency," said Mary McNeil, president and CEO, BC Cancer Foundation. "That is why I am taking part and plan to walk the 60 kilometers and raise at least $2,000. I am also walking in memory of family who have lost their lives to cancer, and celebrating with those that have survived. And I am so pleased that joining me will be the president of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, as well as the Agency's vice-president of research, Dr. Victor Ling, and head of the Agency's provincial breast cancer tumour group, Dr. Karen Gelmon, as well as a number of other colleagues.
"This is the first event of its kind in British Columbia, a multi-day event for those who are looking to do something more in the fight against breast cancer," said McNeil. "More than $12 million was raised in the first ever Weekend to End Breast Cancer in Toronto, which took place last September 2003. We are excited to be able to bring this unique event to Vancouver."
Net proceeds from The Weekend to End Breast Cancer will benefit the BC Cancer Foundation, an independent charitable organization which raises funds to support research and care at the BC Cancer Agency, including the Agency's Genome Sciences Centre, first in the world to sequence the SARS virus. With cancer survival rates better than any other province in Canada, the BC Cancer Agency has become a model for cancer care and control around the world.
For more information about the event, or to register as a participant, please contact (604) 684-WALK (9255), or sign up online at www.endcancer.ca.
The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation, is proud of the commitment made by our event sponsor, CIBC, and welcomes the opportunity to speak with other organizations that are interested in supporting this event.
For more information, please contact:
Penny Noble, BC Cancer Foundation: (604) 707-5902
Angela Sommers, BC Cancer Foundation: (604) 707-5905
Chad Goldman, The Weekend to End Breast Cancer: cgoldman@causeforce.com
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