CIBC Run for the Cure fundraising hasn’t bounced back from pandemic

The Canadian Cancer Society’s annual CIBC Run for the Cure fundraising campaign, which took place in cities across the country Sunday, brought in a total of $14.5 million, the charity says.

The organization says totals have not yet rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, but the yearly amount has been increasing since the society held a virtual event in 2020.

This year’s total is more than 10 per cent higher than last year’s amount of $13 million and over 60 per cent higher than the $9 million raised in 2021.

In 2019, the last year before the pandemic, the event raised $17 million.

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This year, more than 50,000 runners across 53 communities took part in the event. In 2022, the run had 45,000 participants. The charity says this remains considerably lower than pre-pandemic participation; in 2019, around 85,000 runners took part.

Over the years, the society says, the run has raised a total of $507 million.

“The outpouring of support we’ve witnessed today reflects the resilience of the human spirit when faced with adversity,” says Tanya Henry, vice president of Signature Programs at the Canadian Cancer Society. “The CIBC Run for the Cure is a testament to the incredible impact we can achieve when we unite for a common cause, leaving a lasting legacy for breast cancer patients.

“Funds raised will enable us to continue pushing the boundaries of breast cancer treatment, ensuring those facing the disease can live their lives as fully as possible.”

The society says breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease among women, with about one in eight women diagnosed in their lifetimes. It also affects men, with over 270 diagnoses of breast cancer yearly, it says.