Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 11/02) - Great weather and powerful community spirit combined to create one of the most successful Run for the Cure fund-raisers in Northern history.

On Oct. 6, 1,050 people gathered for the Run for the Cure, sponsored by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Yellowknife.

Satellite sites for the run were held in Inuvik, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells and Hay River.

The turnout was 100 runners higher than last year, which is attributed to better weather. Runners were faced with a blizzard last year.

"Sunday was a perfect day for a run," said Pam Malmsten, media director for the run.

The day of the race, organizers recorded a total of $147,000 in donations, but money is still coming in.

"We feel we should be able to exceed last year once we get all the satellite site totals in and all the other committed money," said Malmsten.

Last year the run raised $165,000, which worked out to $175 per participant compared to a national average of $93.

Also on Sunday Brenda Marshall, who is currently battling breast cancer, spoke to participants about her experience.

"That was the highlight of the day," said Malmsten.

Money raised through Run for the Cure has paid for a number of initiatives in the North including:

- A mammography machine and viewer at Stanton Territorial Hospital

- The breast health tool kit, a table top display which demonstrates breast self-examination, clinical breast exam and mammography

- In Your Hands, a video produced and directed in the North that features a demonstration of breast self-examination and explains the importance of clinical breast examination and mammography. It also features messages of encouragement from NWT breast cancer survivors.