'It's very close to home': CancerCare Challenge for Life raises $1 million for cancer research in Manitoba
One of CancerCare Manitoba's signature events returned for the first time in years Saturday, to enormous success.
It was the 16th annual Challenge for Life in Assiniboine Park, but the first in-person event since 2019.
Participants completed a 20k or 5k walk, or participated online in a virtual event.
More than 800 people registered for the challenge, each pledging to raise at least $250 for the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
Many of the participants had very personal reasons for taking part in the walk.
"I have an uncle who is going under extreme chemo right now, and I also had a girlfriend that just had a double mastectomy," said Andrea Patterson.
"About five years ago, my father fought his battle with kidney cancer," said Krisinda Beckett. "I lost my uncle to lung cancer this year, and I lost a very close friend - the same day that my daughter was born - to cancer."
Starting at 9 a.m., the 20k walk began and ended at Assiniboine Park, while the 5k walk roamed through the park. Virtual participants took on their own challenges around the province from May 27-June 3 to raise money.
"All the funds raised through Challenge for Life stay right here in Manitoba to support Manitobans and their families who are affected by cancer. This year we raised over a million dollars for Challenge for Life. It’s incredible,” said Laura Curtis, communications and marketing director with CancerCare Manitoba.
Between 2008 and 2022, the event raised more than $15.3 million to support prevention, early detection, treatment, research, and patient support at CancerCare Manitoba.
Beckett said cancer is something that affects everyone. "It's very close to home, it's in everyone's home," she said. "And it's something we need to do to help our community."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.