By Cindy Filipenko
Pemberton and Whistler residents can to join in the fight against breast cancer close to home.
Businesswomen, chiropractor Shannon Paul and innkeeper Donna Hasan are organizing Pemberton’s first Run for the Cure. The 5 km run coincides with other runs occurring around the country on Sunday, Oct. 1.
Because the run is not an official Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation sanctioned event, the organizers will be applying all funds to Team Carmen. Running in support of former Pemberton and Whistler resident, Carmen Aihers, Team Carmen is registered with the agency as they are participating in the Vancouver run. Aihers lost her battle with breast cancer last year.
“People can come on race day and donate when they register for the race. If people known someone participating in the race they can donate directly to them, and the third way they can donate is through the Run for the Cure website,” said Paul.
By running in support of Team Carmen, the organizers can ensure that donors receive tax receipts.
“We’re doing it this way because Pemberton is not a sanctioned run yet, we’re in the works of getting it done,” said Paul. “People can’t donate directly to me because I’m not registered, because officially there’s no run here. If I was running in Vancouver I would be registered, so we chose Team Carmen as our ultimate location for our donations.”
The event is open to participants of all ages and fitness levels. People wishing to take part are asked to meet at the Pemberton Community Centre for a 10 a.m. start time. The 5 km route extends along Pemberton Meadows Road from the Community Centre to McEwen’s Farm.
Paul is hoping that by next year Pemberton will have received developing community designation from the breast cancer agency.
“It’s a low-key kind of community race. For people who want to run seriously there will be timers but it could also be a nice relaxed walk with your stroller. It’s whatever participants want it to be.”
For more information or to make a donation, call Shannon Paul at 604-894-0299, or Hasan at 604-894-6000.
