Sometimes, reliving movies such as Flashdance and kicking it to ’80s music in neon T-shirts, headbands and leggings can help save lives.
Women and men of all ages gathered at the NewCap Stage at West Edmonton Mall yesterday to “get physical” and help launch this year’s Weekend to End Women’s Cancers.
“We were excited to launch the event and to get people interested and excited about it, and to show that it is a lot of work and exercise involved,” said Christy Soholt, communications and marketing associate with the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
With a new name and a new sponsor, the Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers (formerly the Weekend to End Breast Cancer) will hit Edmonton the weekend of Aug. 6.
“Let’s expand it and let’s make a big impact on all women’s cancers, and that is what we are introducing this year,” said Soholt.
This August, hundreds of people will proudly hit Edmonton streets in the fight to end breast and other women’s cancers in a 60-kilometre or the new 30-kilometre walk.
“This event makes such a huge impact on cancer research in Alberta,” said Soholt. “It is just fantastic.”
As a cancer survivor herself and someone who has completed the walk, Soholt offered future walkers a few tips.
“You do need to train and you do need to get excited about fundraising,” said Soholt. “It is work, but your money goes to such a great cause.”
This event has resulted in over $21 million in investments in breast cancer research over the past five years. All the money raised will support life-saving cancer research and care in Edmonton at the Cross Cancer Institute.
