Breast Health Coalition Supports Run For The Cure

Media Release

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The CIBC Run for the Cure organizers, the Nipissing and Area Breast Health Coalition, the Ontario Breast Screening Program and Warriors of Hope Breast Cancer Survivors Dragon Boat Race Team, will be joining forces on Sunday, October 1 to honor breast cancer survivors, celebrate their achievements and raise funds for the fight against breast cancer.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s CIBC Run for the Cure happens in over 50 communities across Canada. Here in North Bay, participants will be walking or running a 1-kilometer or 5-kilometer course that starts at the waterfront.

“THE CIBC Run for the Cure helps raise much needed funds for breast cancer research, education and awareness programs,” said Tammy Megginson, Run Director from CIBC. “This event brings the community together to pay tribute to those who survived breast cancer and encourages us to work harder to cure it.”

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), a Cancer Care Ontario program, is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this fall. Breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer among Canadian women, with almost 20,000 new cases estimated this year alone. The OBSP reduces deaths due to breast cancer by offering breast screening for women over 50 years of age. Three out of four breast cancers occurs in women over the age of 50, and when breast cancer is found early and is still very small, there is a good chance of a cure. Early detection saves lives.

“Prevention is also important to minimize your risk of breast cancer,” said Lovie Ferguson, co-chair of the Nipissing and Area Breast Health Coalition. “Discuss your breast screening needs with your health care practitioner. If you are a woman over 50 years of age, get a regular breast screening at an OBSP clinic. Lower your risk by being physically active, eat a healthy diet, limit alcohol, maintaining a healthy body weight, be a non-smoker and avoiding exposure to second-hand smoke.”

The Nipissing and Area Breast Health Coalition is a group of health care agencies, community groups and volunteers who work together to decrease breast cancer mortality by increasing breast cancer awareness and promoting the services of the Ontario Breast Screening Program. The Coalition was formed as a result of the successful completion of the Rotary Club of North Bay’s fundraising campaign to buy a mammography machine. The Coalition membership includes representatives from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, Warriors of Hope, West Nipissing General Hospital, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Breast Screening Program, Rotary Club of North Bay, North Bay General Hospital and Aboriginal community.

The Nipissing and Area Breast Health Coalition strongly encourages all women 50 years of and over to participate in regular breast screening at the Ontario Breast Screening Program. For younger women, discuss your breast screening needs and concerns with your health care provider.

For women between 50 and 74 years of age, you can book an appointment for a mammogram at your local Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) clinic by calling 495-7930 in North Bay, 753-4392 in Sturgeon Falls or 746-4540, ext. 3602 in Parry Sound. For general information about OBSP, call 1-800-661-8897.

For information about the CIBC Run for the Cure, visit www.cibcrunforthecure.com , or call Tammy Megginson at 474-8900, ext 224.

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