Mother, son run for the cure Sunday

Mother, son run for the cure Sunday

Vaughan

Caroline Grech

More than 30,000 people will lace-up Sunday in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.

In the thick of the crowd will be Lella Dal Ferro and her four-year-old son, Gareth.

This is the sixth year the 39-year-old Vaughan resident is walking to help raise funds and awareness about breast cancer.

She will be joined by about 100 people on her team who call themselves Sanofi’s Race to End Breast Cancer.

“It’a a lot of fun. It’s a rush when you go to Nathan Phillips Square and see all the people there and you’re all there for the same reason,” said Ms Dal Ferro, who is an information resources co-ordinator at Sanofi Pasteur Ltd.

But Ms Dal Ferro hasn’t lost sight of the event’s importance.

“Everyday you hear that more and more people affected by cancer,” she said. “Everyone is susceptible and it has become so prevalent in society.

“They have made tonnes of progress, but a lot more work still needs to be done.”

Since the company became involved in the event 10 years ago, it has raised about $170,000.

In 2007, the team raised $48,000 by holding bake, book and jewelry sales and a talent show.

This year’s goal is to round up $50,000.

Fundraising to help find a cure is arguably the most important objective of the event, but money raised also goes to help support groups for those suffering from breast cancer.

“When my mom had it, she suffered in isolation,” Ms Dal Ferro said. “It was something you didn’t talk about.

“Now, it’s at the forefront and there is a lot more awareness. Your family can only help you so much, but when you are speaking to a survivor, that’s when you realize you are not alone.”

Sunday’s event is expected to raise $5 million for breast cancer research, education and awareness initiatives.

The run takes place in 55 communities across Canada and an estimated 170,000 participants are expected to surpass last year’s haul of $27 million.

For more information on the run, visit www.cibcrunforthecure.com

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