Edmontonians run for breast cancer cure

Six years ago, at age 42, Monica Mackay found a lump.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, the result was a full gamut of cancer treatment; lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation.

In the past year, a friend of hers was diagnosed with breast cancer, along with the sisters of two friends. 

On Sunday, Mackay and her dog, Wallace, joined about 6,000 other Edmontonians at the annual Run for the Cure, raising more than $700,000 as they walked and ran one, five or 10 kilometres in the name of cancer research.

For six years, Mackay’s team, The Pink Soldiers, has participated in the event, raising about $126,000.

“I thoroughly believe in the research, in the fundraising,” Mackay said.

With everyone coming together for a common goal to find a cure, Mackay said each run day is an inspiration, albeit an emotional one.

“It was a long, long road to recovery, but I’ve been cancer-free for five years and I’m loving my life,” she said.

Between the largely pink costumes, dogs, families and feeling of celebration, the event also held a moment of silence for those who didn’t survive their breast cancer. 

Race coordinator Jessica Leung said there are so many people affected, “if you’re not a survivor yourself, most people know someone affected.”

“If you come to run day once, you’re kind of hooked,” she said.

“The inspiration, the people — it’s amazing.”

egraney@postmedia.com

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