Hi Friends and Family,

It is that time of year again where I begin my fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure which this year is on Sunday October 6th. I am looking forward to a great day walking with others whose lives have been touched by breast cancer and share my commitment to doing my part in creating a future without breast cancer.  

It is so hard to believe it will be 10 years in November that we lost my mom Lucy. Not a single day goes by that I don’t think about her and miss her. What I would give to have just one more day with her! I know I am not alone in feeling her physical absence, but because of the person she was and the love she had for her family and friends, she is definitely not far from us in spirit. So much has changed, but one commitment that I intend to keep in honour and memory of her is my annual fundraising.

My mother felt very strongly about this event. Year after year, when she would talk to people about it, whether it was to tell them that she was participating or to collect pledges on my behalf, she would always say, "this is not for me, because I'm already being helped by money raised in the past, but this is for those who will face breast cancer in the future" -- she felt very strongly about "paying it forward". I know, without a doubt, that she would want me to continue. And I know, without a doubt, that she is with me in spirit and would be so proud and honoured that so many of you continue to support this cause in memory of her and all the thousands of other women who have or will face this disease in their lifetime.

My goal is to fundraise $1000. With your help, I can reach my fundraising goal and make a life-changing difference for so many people. Every dollar I raise will fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and support programs and services for those impacted by this disease. 

Your support means the world to me as I raise money not only in memory of my mother but for all of the mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, cousins and friends who have been lost to breast cancer, who are currently battling breast cancer, or who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the future.

Please donate today. I believe better treatment options and survival outcomes are possible. Together, we can give Canadians impacted by breast cancer a reason to have hope. And we can help change the future for all. 

Thank you so much for your support. My family (including my mother) and I truly appreciate it.

Steph : )