OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, October 8, 2009 · 14 Communities rallied for Run for the Cure By Christina Commisso METROLAND WETS MEDIA GROUP Despite nation-wide fundraising numbers being down from last year, organizers for the 18th annual Run for the Cure are confident they will hit the million-dollar mark. To help reach that goal, one individual donated a record-breaking $20,000 to the Burlington/Hamilton/Oakville team "it was definitely a first," said team coordinator Sandy O'Reilly. "We were quite surprised." The run, sponsored by CIBC, is Canada's largest single-day volunteerled initiative, with about 170,000 participants nation-wide. The weekend's chilly weather didn't stop the 6,500 runners and walkers who flooded Burlington's Central Park for Sunday's 1-kilometre and 5kilometre events. "We were glad the rain held off," said O'Reilly. "The cold weather didn't affect the run, we were in such high spirits it didn't matter." Locally, the numbers were slightly down from last year's event where 7,000 participated. Nationally, fundraising totals were also down, with this year's total hitting $26.5 million, falling short of the $28.5 million raised in 2008 and the $27 million raised in 2007. "We've been monitoring the results over the last two months, and we were expecting numbers to be lower this year," said O'Reilly. "We understand the economic condition affected that, but people still rallied together and did an outstanding job." As of the race-day, the Burlington/Hamilton/Oakville team raised $900,000, with more donations expected to come in throughout October, which is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness month. To participate in the event, runners had to pay a $40 registration fee, which was waved if they raised more than $150. Fundraising and awareness events are planned throughout the month, including Pink Ribbon Night at the Air Canada Centre on Oct. 13. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames will sport pink ribbons on their helmets and fans from coast-tocoast will have a chance to bid on pink ribbon jersey signed by the Leafs, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF). The foundation supports research initiatives including grants to better NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER SEEING PINK: The annual CIBC Run for the Cure in Halton drew residents from across the region to Burlington on Sunday. understand the links to breast cancers, it funds education and awareness programs and projects to develop more effective breast cancer treatment. Not even a week after the event, organizers are already planning for 2010's run. At the local level, O'Reilly, who has volunteered for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for 13 years and coordinated the local run for eight, said the Burlington/Hamilton/Oakville team would start planning in February. "I have family members who have been affected by breast cancer, and that really keeps me motivated," she said. "It really touches your heart." a r p ro ud are prou d t o p re s en t .. . ou res e nt . . e n & The TMH andle gh all The OTM Candlelight Ball The OTMH Candlelight Ball Saturday ovembe th, 009 Sa urday November 7th, 200 Saturday November 7th, 2009 a u da embe h 0 Burl g o onven Bu ngton Conve tio Centre Bur ington Convention Centre u e the OTMH Candlelight Ball T The True North Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital wishes to Recognize Barrington's and Murron's Cabinetree for A New Tw is t! N ew w s t Ne w Twi st ! e their loyal support of the annual OTMH Candlelight Ball. We a re p l ea se t o p ar tn e r wi t h f a e d We are please d to pa r tner with fa m ed C a n ad i a n c h e fs re e as e a s ed a rt ne w it n ad fs Thanks to their continued generosity, members of our M ic hael Bonacini & Mark McEwan to h el p us de ve lo p a c h ae l Bo n ac in i M ar k M c Ew a n t o he lp u s d ev el o a el B o a ci n e c ar E wa w e eve o n e- of - a- k i n d c u l i na r y ex pe ri en c e d o n't miss o ut on ne-of-a-kind culinary e xp e r ie nc e - o f- a n ar experien a xp en ncommunityohave access to the highest quality ' mi ss u t n m is s s t h ex cl us iv e op po r tu t y! th i s exclusive oppo rt u n i ty ! e xc lu s v healthcare services, close to home! xc u oppo y The vital new Intensive Care Unit equipment shown here (from left to right) over-bed lift, portable ultrasound machine, ICU bed and transport monitor were purchased with the proceeds from the 2008 OTMH Candlelight Ball. 6:30pm at the Burlington Convention Centre Saturday November 7, 2009 In support of OTMH Net left c right) Brenda and is yBarrington and e Net protoeeds from thPaulyear's Candlel ht Bal wil Net proceeds from this year's Candle ight and l will e th ear's Candlelight Ba ea (From ro ed of Barrington's a Farncombe bMurray t the Diagnost c Imaging Department at OTMH benefit the DiagnosticofImaging Department at OTMH en ene and Gaye ag enefit the Diagnostic Murron's Cabinetree.men h ag ng Department n epa TM for more information please visit for more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit, www.otmhcandlelightball.com www.otmhcandlelightball.com