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PHOTOS: CIBC’s Run for the Cure returns to Bear Creek Park

The parade of pink invadeds Bear Creek Park to raise money for breast cancer research
Trevor Beggs
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The people who donate to CIBC’s Run for the Cure are the real heroes. (Trevor Beggs)

CIBC’s Run for the Cure is held every year for people like Jas Janda-Wiseman.

Janda-Wiseman was one of the survivors on-hand during the annual 21st annual Run for the Cure at Bear Creek Park on Sunday.

“Last year, I stood here with no hair on my head. Now, I’m proud to be cancer-free,” said Janda-Wiseman to the crowd right before the run started.

Janda-Wiseman was diagnosed with breast cancer in January, 2015. After a long, hard battle against the disease, Janda-Wiseman won her fight in August, 2017.

The love and camaraderie that is apparent among all attendees is one of the reasons why Janda-Wiseman was thrilled to be a keynote speaker at the event.

“The number of hugs and the people reaching out to you with their stories of strength really makes this such a great day,” she said.

Last year when Janda-Wiseman attended the event, she said it was physically and mentally hard to take part in the action.

She was anything but exhausted during Sunday’s action, where she shared her story of perseverance and strength.

“Being able to stand out there today healthy and with more energy than last year reminds others that you have to stay positive,” she said.CIBC’s Run for the Cure took place in 55 other communities across Canada Sunday. An estimated 100,000 Canadians participated to show their support for victims and survivors of breast cancer.

One of the main initiatives for organizers of the event this year was to get all attendees to paint their pinkies pink. As Janda-Wiseman spoke to the crowd, hundreds raised their pink pinkies in the air to show support.

Those pink pinkies contributed to the sea of pink in Bear Creek Park. About 1,000 participants joined the event, most of them decked out in pink gear.

Estimates show that approximately one in eight Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. It remains the most common cancer known to humans.

The event has been held in Canada for more than 20 years. The Canadian Cancer Society and the former Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation have raised more than $360 million since Run for the Cure first took place in 1997.

Donations from these events have funded more than 1,000 breast cancer research projects.


trevor.beggs@surreynowleader.com
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The “Walkers for Knockers” team poses for a photo prior to CIBC’s Run for the Cure at Bear Creek Park on Sunday. (Trevor Beggs)
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The “Sensational Sisters” were one of the larger teams on hand at CIBC’s Run for the Cure at Bear Creek Park. (Trevor Beggs)
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The runners get ready to start the five-kilometre run around Bear Creek park. (Trevor Beggs)
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The walkers round out the participants at CIBC’s Run for the Cure at Bear Creek Park. About 1000 people participated in the event. (Trevor Beggs)
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Hunor Torszok (left) and Aidan Barfoot (right) of the Vancouver Giants joined the festivities and cheered on the runners at Sunday’s event. (Trevor Beggs)
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Some of the first runners cross the finish line at CIBC’s Run for the Cure at Bear Creek Park. (Trevor Beggs)