Ottawa is well into its warm-weather season, which means there are fundraising events every day of every weekend.
While the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s Spring Sprint isn’t one of the better-known events, the run/walk at Andrew Haydon Park at 9 a.m. Saturday deserves a second look, said a foundation spokesman.
“Brain tumours and brain cancers are pretty unique compared to different types of cancers,” said community relations officer Paul Mitchell.“There are over 20 different types of brain tumours, and even within the same patient, there can be different types of cancer cells,” he said. “It’s a complicated type of cancer to treat.”
There are 55,000 people living with a brain tumours in Canada, said Mitchell. Every year, 10,000 people are diagnosed.
Among children, brain cancer is the leading solid cancer cause of death, said Mitchell.
In previous events, about $50,000 was raised. Funds from the event, which is held in 22 cities across Canada, funds research grants, education and support programs.
“One of the things we’re looking into is quality of life issues,” said Mitchell. “More treatment means that people (who have been diagnosed) are living longer and living better,” he said.
