On September 10, the Canadian Cancer Society announced that the Taking Steps Against Breast Cancer event is coming to Barry’s Bay. It is a three kilometer, non competitive walk that will lead participants through a designated route around town.
The annual event has been taking place in Eganville since 2008 and Pembroke since 2004.
Participants are encouraged to fundraise beforehand and wear pink on the day of the event.
Fundraising Co-ordinator Dave Henderson said the Renfrew County walk has raised a total of $150,000 for breast cancer research. However, to date, the Canadian Cancer Society has also donated $100 million to breast cancer research.
“Since the mid 1980s, death rates for breast cancer dropped by 30 per cent,” Henderson said. “That is directly due to breakthroughs in research, early detection, prevention and treatment.”
He added that the overarching goal is to help people who have breast cancer live a long and healthy life.
“The research community and the scientific community hasn’t come up with a golden key cure,” Henderson acknowledged. “What the society is helping the research community do is save people’s lives today and help them to live a good quality of life. That’s what this is about.”
The Canadian Cancer Society offers several services in the area, including a transportation program and information services that are utilized by local hospitals. Individuals can also take advantage of the society’s cancer information services, which allow people to talk to a cancer information specialist.
A peer support program is also available, which matches a cancer survivor with someone who has been through the same kind of cancer.
Get your September 16, 2015 edition of The Valley Gazette to read the full story.