Simply Me: Making a Difference

The CIBC Run for the Cure is an annual event held the first weekend in October on the same day across Canada. The event is Canada’s largest single-day volunteer-led fundraiser dedicated to a future without breast cancer and last Sunday 8,000 people ran or walked the 5k and raised 1.43 million dollars towards the cause.

You can’t help but feel a sense of pride mixed with emotion as you walk the beautiful tree-lined streets of Willow Park. The autumn leaves falling from the trees, the sound of them crunching under your feet and the sun peeking through the trees. Everyone walking for the same cause; it takes your breath away just looking around at everyone dressed in pink and reading the backs of their t-shirts declaring who they are running for…. At one point we were behind a 4-some and the man; dressed completely in bright pink including hair, had a picture of a woman on his run tag with the words “I am running for my wife”, she had passed away just 2 weeks ago….. My team-mates and I spent most of the walk on the verge of tears with a lump in my throat.

My girlfriends and I finished the walk in 1 hour and 20 minutes, walking at a very casual pace so that we could chat and take in all the sights and sounds along the way. There were houses decorated with pink bras, ribbons, teddy bears, flags and even the local police force got in on the fun. There was even a live band playing in the driveway of one of the houses… how can you not smile at that.

After the walk I left my friends and headed to the c-train. I sat down on the train, a little tired, closed my eyes for a minute and when I opened them a woman had sat down directly across from me and when I read the front of her shirt the tears came flowing…. She looked to be about the same age as me and her husband had his arms around her….. her t-shirt said “I am running for ME”…. She had no hair and looked very weak and frail. I had only a very short ride on the train but I made sure that I told her that I was running for her today and that I wished her well… put’s it all into perspective doesn’t it?

I want to thank everyone who supported me with a donation and encouragement and I want you all to know that we are making a difference…..