Nearly everyone knows someone touched by cancer, but for one Grande Prairie woman, it has been a tragic constant.
“My best friend has passed away from it, and I currently have a sister in law cancer-free, and my niece, unfortunately, is going through her second bout of breast cancer. It does hit close to home,” says 2019 Grande Prairie CIBC Run for the Cure Director Janice Lovejoy.
She says while the Run for the Cure is something which has become bigger and bigger year over year, she understands why some people have not participated, but hopes this will be the year they change.
“Until it’s really close and it does hit home it is hard to put yourself in that position. [Things like] watching documentaries, and whatnot, you can empathize but it’s all about the feeling, what it does to your heart.”
Lovejoy says her goal for the event is to put the focus on getting awareness out there and of course, raising money for the prevention of the disease which affects thousands of Canadians every year.
“Even though this is for something as devastating as cancer, we want people to come out and have fun, so to speak. To enjoy their day and make it something they think about, and encourage their friends to come out and enjoy the day with us.”
The Grande Prairie Run for the Cure takes place October 6th. To register, visit their website. The fundraising goal for the event has been set at $60,000
