Who are you running for?

I hate fundraising. With a vengeance. I hate being asked to do it. I feel like I'm begging for support for one cause amongst the gazillions of causes out there, when there's absolutely nothing to say that my cause is more worthwhile or urgent or pressing than any of the others.

That being said, I make an exception once a year. 

RFTC 2008

For the past three years, I've run in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's CIBC Run For The Cure.  I did my first run (well, in all honesty, I walked) in 2008 when a friend called, very last-minute, asking if I wanted to do the Run. I said sure, why not? I wasn't doing anything else that day. I paid the registration fee and showed up the first Sunday in October to participate. I had no expectations; if nothing else, it was a chance to walk my friend's dog and get in a little pet therapy.

RFTC 2009

Little did I know that I was going to be so impressed with the atmosphere - the hope, enthusiasm, and sense of fun that all the participants put into the run - that I vowed that the next year I would train up, and actually run the course. 

Fast forward to 2009, and I did it. Not only did I run my first-ever 5k, but I also raised more than $600 for the Foundation. In 2010, I set a personal best 5k, and raised more than $1000. I was insanely proud of myself and all those whose generosity supported me.

So where does the money go? You can find out more by checking out the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's website - but in a nutshell, it goes to breast cancer research and education/awareness programs.

RFTC 2010

So why this run? Why not? I realize there are lots of other cancers out there. I've lost friends to them. And ironically I haven't lost anyone to breast cancer. But I'm running for my friend Vicki. She beat it and is now 6 years cancer-free, but so many others haven't. I'm running for a colleague's best friend, who is just about to undergo treatment. I'm running for friends who have spent countless hours researching and trying to find a cure. I'm running so that we can find a cure for this, move on, and start curing all the other cancers out there. You gotta start somewhere, and there have been some seriously promising breakthroughs in breast cancer research over the last little while.

This year the Run is October 2. My goal is to raise more than I did last year, and set another personal best 5k. If you think you can support the CBCF, please consider donating.