Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Alex's Cancer Runs - Please consider supporting his participation

Alex will be taking part in two major Cancer fundraising runs this month......

September 16th
On Sunday September 16th he'll be running in the Terry Fox Run, a 10K run starting in Victoria Park in Charlottetown.

The Run is a non-competitive event where people raise money in Terry's name for the Terry Fox Foundation. It is a day of celebrating Terry's legacy and helping to keep his dream of a cure for cancer alive. All money raised by the Foundation is distributed through the National Cancer Institute of Canada. To date, more than $400 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry's name.

There is no entry fee and no prizes are awarded, although a certificate of appreciation is given when participants complete their journey. Alex's wall is graced by a number of these certificates. One of the highlights of his running career was running the 25th Anniversary Terry Fox Run on the Confederation Bridge in 2005. He ran the length of the bridge from the New Brunswick side to Prince Edward Island.

Alex has joined the PEI RoadRunners Team for this event. If you would like to show your support for Alex or give to Cancer Research, please consider donating to Alex's Terry Fox Run. You can donate online here. An electronic tax receipt for your donation, in accordance with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, is sent to the e-mail address you provide and can be printed out on a printer. If no e-mail is provided, it will be mailed to the street address on the form within 2-4 weeks. All money raised goes to cancer research.

Please take a moment to read about Terry Fox here. Other interesting links include:
Donate to the Terry Fox Run


Alex running across the Confederation Bridge in the 25th Anniversary Terry Fox Run


September 30th

On Sunday, September 30th, Alex will be taking part in his 4th Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. This is a 5K Run that starts and ends at Confederation Landing on the waterfront in Charlottetown.

This Run is an extraordinary single-day experience that unites Canadians and communities across the country. Together, it raises millions of dollars to fund innovative and relevant breast cancer research, education, and awareness programs in the communities where we live.

The Run was created in 1992 by a small group of volunteers who wanted to raise awareness and funds for the cause. In 2006, over 50 communities and 170,000 Canadians participated in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure and raised over $26 million.

Canadian Breast Cancer Statistics

In recent years, the numbers of Canadians diagnosed with breast cancer has increased slightly - a change partly attributed to earlier detection. The good news is that thanks to earlier detection and improved treatments, mortality rates continue to decline.


Overview:
  • Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women
  • In 2007, over 22,300 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer; 5,300 women will die from it.
  • On average, 429 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week
  • Breast cancer deaths comprise the second highest cancer death rate, after lung cancer, among Canadian women.
  • One in nine Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime, and one in 27 will die of it.
  • In 2007, an estimated 170 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer; 50 will die from it.
If you would like to show your support for Alex or the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, please consider sponsoring Alex in the Run for the Cure. You can read Alex's message and donate online here. You will automatically receive an electronic tax receipt for donations of $20 or more within 30 minutes. For donations under $20, check the tax receipt box on the Donation Form to request a tax receipt.

You can learn more about Breast Cancer here and if sponsoring Alex isn't your thing but you still want to do something for the cause, you can always Shop for the Cure, Cook for the Cure or if your passion (like Alex's Dad's) is fishing, check out Casting For Recovery Canada which provides fly fishing retreats at locations around Canada.

Alex, 9th across the finish line in Charlottetown, 2004

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