Published in The BANAR November 2008
by Bill Horne
On a cool but glorious October 5, over 150 adults, kids, dogs and strollers ran and walked the scenic 5k course, bringing in over $24,300 for the Run for the Cure for breast cancer. The community spirit was infectious and the money raised set a new record.
Organizing committee chair Lynn Sewell said, “Thanks to the great community spirit in the Hamlet, the generosity of our business people, and a hard-working committee, the local Run for the Cure keeps getting bigger and better every year. Again this year, thanks to the generosity of Freedom 55 Financial, $6000 will be added to the over $9,000 raised by their regional team and its family and friends, resulting in an overall total of over $24,300. We were delighted to see a large group from Changes for Women at 2062 Innes Road join us again this year, and we appreciate the significant corporate donations from Sherry Woodburn at the Wholesale Outlet and Lafarge Canada Inc. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation benefits from all of this.”
It was especially inspiring to see several pink t-shirts among the crowd, signifying breast cancer survivors. We were pleased to see the group from Blessed Kateri School in Orleans and hope they will be back next year.
Participants were treated to refreshments compliments of Tim Hortons Blackburn Hamlet and Loeb Blackburn Hamlet before the Run, and to a great spread of pastries and fruit afterwards, supplied by the Blackburn Arms Pub Restaurant. Runners and walkers enjoyed water from Shoppers Drug Mart.
As is the tradition, Innes Ward Councillor Rainer Bloess again acted as the starter for the event. We continued our new tradition of assembling most participants on the grass outside the community centre for a group photo.
The raffle produced about four dozen great prizes, thanks to the generosity of the following local merchants and professionals: Blackburn Barber shop, Edward Jones, Unisex Salon, Mac’s Milk, Jumbo Restaurant, Lyn Novak Flowers, Shoppers Drug Mart, Dr. Chantal Plant, Dr. K. McFarland, J and S Auto Service, Joe’s Barbershop, Blackburn Pharmacy, Blackburn Hamlet Massage Therapy .Think Travel (Rachel Neild and Lynn Sewell), Dr. Harfield, Imilio’s Pizza, Spic and Span Cleaners, Jade Hair Salon, Kathy Greenlaw, Bunning and Fernand Law Firm, Joe’s Auto, Hair Alive, Blackburn Chiropractic, Blackburn Physio, Queens Pharmacy, and The Wholesale Outlet. Innes Ward Councillor Rainer Bloess also contributed numerous raffle prizes.
A new feature this year was putting several of the higher value prizes in a silent auction, and this produced additional contributions.
We are most grateful to the Blackburn Hamlet website webmaster, Helen Rosseau, for her untiring work in keeping our event coverage up to date, and the vast number of pictures she took. Thanks to Banar editor Evelyn Budd for its coverage. The Weekly Journal also carried several articles, both online and in print. BlackburnHamlet residents and others can look forward to another Run for the Cure next October 4, 2009, as we fight to overcome this terrible disease that affects one in eight Canadian women.