Run for Her: trail event for ovarian cancer
Registration is open for the 2024 Run for Her Trail Challenge, an annual grassroots fundraising event in Collingwood in support of ovarian cancer research.
Ovarian cancer is the most fatal cancer affecting women and people born with ovaries. 3,100 Canadians will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2024; sadly, more than half will die within five years of diagnosis. Long-term survival outcomes have not changed in 50+ years. There is no screening test, no single reliable diagnostic test, and limited effective treatment options for most patients. Research is the only way to change these statistics.
“Current treatments are just buying time. From diagnosis, I understood how important it was to speak up, speak out and advocate wherever I could. Women’s lives depend on it… Scientists, researchers, and patients all need to work together to advocate, push the boundaries of science, and find a cure,” said Shannon Kadar, patient advocate.
In honour of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this September, event founder Alicia Tone and the Run for Her volunteer committee want to share a unique opportunity to be part of this change.
On the morning of Sept. 28, runners, hikers, patient advocates and volunteers will gather at Three-Stage trails in The Blue Mountains for the fifth annual Run for Her. Participants can choose their own adventure, running or hiking anywhere from 5km to the full 31km route.
“You realize – when your friend is out running the hills of Collingwood, running for ‘Her’ – it overtakes you at moments, that I am the ‘Her.’ It’s not somebody else. It’s me,” said Peggy Pickett, patient advocate.
Visit runforher.ca to register, donate or join the fundraising team. Registration is a $31 donation; 100 per cent of funds raised go to Ovarian Cancer Canada, the only national charity dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer.
The event begins at 7:30 am. Maps are included in registration information. Contact alicia@runforher.ca for more information.
Headwaters Health Care Foundation hosts inaugural Headwaters Hike to Fight Breast Cancer
“Headwaters Hike to Fight Breast Cancer is an opportunity for our community to come together and get moving, have fun, and support cancer care at Headwaters,” said K.C. Carruthers, Headwaters Health Care Foundation CEO. “We’re excited to launch this new event, and we look forward to making a difference for patients who rely on our hospital for their cancer care.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women worldwide, with someone receiving a diagnosis every two minutes.
The government does not provide funding to purchase medical equipment in the hospital, so nearly every piece of equipment used to provide cancer care is purchased thanks to donations made by individuals and organizations in the community.
Participants can register for the hike individually or create a team. Registration costs $35 and includes an event T-shirt (as long as registration is completed prior to Sept. 19), and a post hike barbecue.
Hikers will be given the opportunity to choose from a one-, three- or five-kilometre hike based on their preference.
After registering, participants will have the ability to create their own fundraising pages that they will be able to share with family and friends to receive pledges. Prizes will be awarded for the Top Fundraising Individual and Top Fundraising Team.
To register or learn more, visit hhcfoundation.akaraisin.com/ ui/hiketofight. Contact Christine Patterson at cpatterson@ headwatershealth.ca or by phone at 519-941-2702, ext. 2309 to receive a copy of the sponsorship package.
