The Pharmaprix Weekend to End Women's Cancers announces $3.1 million raised as 9th annual walk commences in Montreal Français
Quebec's largest walk for women's cancer draws 1,525 participants and funds research, treatment, care and prevention programs at Jewish General Hospital's Segal Cancer Centre in Montreal.
MONTREAL, Aug. 24, 2013 /CNW/ - The Pharmaprix Weekend to End Women's Cancers announced 1,525 walkers helped raised over $3.1 million for the Jewish General Hospital's Segal Cancer Centre as the 9th annual walk commenced Saturday morning in Montreal. Quebec's largest walk for women's cancer supports life-saving research, treatment, care and prevention programs at the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital.
"We are extremely proud of and grateful to the incredible Montreal community of walkers, sponsors, volunteers and donors who have come together to make our 9th annual Pharmaprix Weekend to End Women's Cancers an amazing success," said Myer Bick, President and CEO of the JGH Foundation.
"This year in Canada, over 35,000 women will be diagnosed with a form of breast or gynecologic cancer, and over 9,000 will die from the disease. Funds raised through The Montreal Weekend are making vital contributions towards our mission to help end all women's cancers. The $3.1 million raised will provide indispensable resources for t he cancer program at the JGH and support life-saving research, treatment, care and prevention programs involving breast, gynecologic, cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers at the Segal Cancer Centre at the JGH," added Bick.
In 9 years, The Weekend has raised over $52 million for the Segal Cancer Centre at the JGH, and is the largest walk for women's cancers Quebec. The annual Weekend event brings together communities of survivors and their supporters who spend months fundraising and training for the two-day walk through the various neighborhoods and communities surrounding Montreal.
"I originally participated in The Weekend in 2006 in honour of my mother," said Donna Laberge, second-year participant from Dorval, Quebec.
"Since then, following an emergency hysterectomy, I learned that I had a rare form of uterine cancer. This year, I am doing The Weekend for myself. I am looking forward to sharing this life-changing and fun experience with my daughter. More importantly, I am walking to make a difference for the future of cancer prevention and treatments," added Laberge.
Dr. Gerald Batist, Director of the Segal Cancer Centre at the JGH, said the hospital is having a drastic impact on cancer, but relies on the continued support of The Weekend community to help advance the breakthrough research currently underway at the Segal Cancer Centre.
"The critical funds raised through The Weekend enable more of our doctors and researchers to deploy a range of life-saving initiatives in Montreal in the areas of early detection, treatment and prevention programs," Dr. Batist said.
"Our Breast Referral and Investigation Centre can now see 30 to 40 percent more patients annually thanks to a recent expansion The Weekend event helped to fund. This expansion is enabling our teams to treat more cases and as a result, we're seeing more improved outcomes for more women in this province," added Dr. Batist.
On Sunday, Weekend Walkers will finish their 60km journey with a closing ceremony involving survivors, walkers, crew members and volunteers. Event organizers announced the 10thannual Montreal Weekend will take place August 23rdand 24th of next year and registration is open.
"The entire community is encouraged to join us in 2014, especially all our former walkers for a wonderful reunion, as we celebrate 10 years of The Montreal Weekend," Bick added.
"Registration is officially open, so visit www.endcancer.caor call (514)-393-WALK (9255) to register today," Bick concluded.
Event organizers expect hundreds of people to attend public cheering stations along the route.
For full event details, please visit www.endcancer.ca or call (514) 393-WALK (9255).
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SOURCE: The Weekend To End Women's Cancers
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Lauren Scott
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