The CIBC Run for the Cure takes place this weekend on Sunday, Oct 3.

The annual Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) fundraiser in support of those with breast cancer features a virtual component this year again as well – the opening ceremony will be broadcast live on YesTV, and the CCS Facebook and YouTube pages starting at 8 a.m. Yukon time this Sunday.

Rachael Zapp is the Signature Programs Manager with the Canadian Cancer Society. She works on the virtual CIBC Run for the Cure.

“The Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure is an inspirational day that raises significant funds for breast cancer research and support programs and services.

“It’s a five kilometre or one kilometre walk or run and it’s the largest single day volunteer-led event in support of the breast cancer cause.

“So this year marks a very special year. We’re celebrating our 30th anniversary, and we’re also celebrating 25 years of our incredible partnership with CIBC.”

According to Zapp, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women in Canada. It’s expected that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

Zapp explains how the CIBC Run for the Cure came about.

“The event actually started back in 1992 in Toronto’s High Park,” relates Zapp. “It was formed from a group of volunteers that brought together … approximately 1500 people and raised $85,000 in the first year, which is pretty incredible. Since ‘92, we’ve actually raised more than $471 million for the breast cancer cause. “

Zapp says there are some differences again this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

“So typically in a normal year, we would host events across the country and participants would come to do a one kilometre or five kilometre walk or run. Obviously the pandemic has forced us to pivot our plans. This is the second year we’ve gone virtual, so there will be a virtual broadcast happening on Sunday Oct 3. It will start at 8 a.m. Yukon time.

“Once again, we’ve transformed the run into a one-of-a-kind experience with both physical and virtual elements so you can actually tune in to our Canadian Cancer Society Facebook or YouTube pages to watch the broadcast.

“For the first time ever, we are broadcasting on all the YesTV channels across the country, which is very exciting … in the opening ceremony there will be inspirational stories, a high-energy warmup, and exciting performances. We have three performers lined up. Chantel Kreviazuk and Brett Kissel, as well as drag performer Tynomi Banks, will all be performing for the broadcast Sunday.

“So it’s a one-hour celebration, and participants are encouraged to get outside after the opening ceremony, to go for their walk or run … in their local neighbourhood.

We do have a CIBC Run for the Cure mobile app as well, so you can actually track your activities in the app, and once you track your activity on run day, you can actually earn a finishers medal through our virtual avatars.”

“Typically at a normal event we would have the opening ceremonies, then go for a walk or run and then we’d finish with the closing ceremonies. Just because of all the different time zones and everything, we’ve opted just to do the opening ceremonies and all of our local social media pages we’ll be announcing our award winners.”

The virtual opening ceremony is hosted by YesTV.

“We have our Facebook and YouTube pages, so you visit the Canadian Cancer Society Facebook or YouTube page, you can stream it on to your laptop, iPad, mobile device, or maybe plug it into a TV, but we kind of encourage all of our teams and participants, if it’s safe to do so, maybe get together with some of their team members, and … they watch the hour long broadcast.

“So there will be an inspirational warmup, there’s going to be stories from participants of hope, who are people living with breast cancer, or breast cancer survivors, or people who are at high risk for developing the disease … We have CCS remarks, CIBC remarks, and there will be some performances to get everyone rallied up before they go out for their walk or run.”

The participants will be running in their local neighbourhood, as opposed to lining up and racing.

“If you have a favourite route in your local neighbourhood, or you want to go out for maybe a five kilometre trail run, whether you want to go solo, or get together with some friends or family, we just encourage you to get outside, and get those kilometres in, and support a good cause while doing so,” says Zapp.

Of course, anyone can participate in the event.

“Absolutely. You can visit cibcrunforthecure.com to learn more. You can sign up or donate. Since we don’t have a local event page in the Yukon, you can … look for the ‘Learn about My Run. Anywhere. Anyway.’ You can sign up as an individual, or form a team.

“We have our mobile app, we have lots of fundraising tools and resources available on our website, and we actually just launched a new page on our website for all of the event details, so you can have a little read-up about the different performers.

“We also have an event day guide, which is really exciting, so that kind of shares a bit of the impact that we’re making, what to expect for the actual virtual event, as well as how to prepare leading up to and on run day. So there’s some pretty cool resources.

“There’s like colouring sheets and little ‘pinnies’, so you can write who or why you’re participating in the CIBC Run for the Cure. Some posters, and also badges for those participants of hope.”

As of Wednesday, there were more than 18,000 people across the country registered.

“But we still have three days left, and believe it or not, we tend to get quite a few registrations and the funds pour in in the final days, so we’re definitely hoping to see that number climb before Sunday,” says Zapp.

There are some options when it comes to signing up.

“So you can actually choose to make a minimum self-donation of $45 and receive a tax receipt. Or you could commit to raise $150 or more. So if you have some friends, family or colleagues that would be willing to support your fundraising efforts, then that’s another option. Participants who raise $150 or more before 11:59 p.m. end of day on Sunday will actually receive a CIBC Run for the Cure t-shirt in the mail,” explains Zapp.

Participants will receive the t-shirt after the Oct 3 run.

“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so they can wear it proudly through the month of October if they like,” says Zapp.

“Funds are invested into the best and brightest breast cancer researchers, and we’re also proud to fund a lot of support programs and services of the Canadian Cancer Society. Some of those include our Cancer Information Helpline, as well as Cancer Connection, which is an online community for people living with cancer, cancer survivors and their caregivers can find connections, share experiences, and exchange information online.”

Zapp adds anyone wanting to make a general donation to the cause can do so online or in person at a CIBC branch.

“If they want to just make a general event donation or if they have a loved one or a colleague or someone participating in the event, they can also make a donation towards their personal or team fundraising effort. “Tax receipts are automatically issued online. If you prefer to make an offline donation … by cheque or cash, they can go into their local CIBC branch.”Again, the CIBC Run for the Cure website address to register or donate is https://cibcrunforthecure.com The live opening ceremonies take place Sunday on YesTV, Facebook and YouTube starting at 8 a.m. Yukon time.