RANKIN INLET - More than 70 people came out to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in Rankin Inlet earlier this month by participating in the annual CIBC Run for the Cure fundraising event.

While Rankin's version of the event is more of a walk around town than an allout run, the community's generosity in supporting the fundraiser is second to none.

This year's participants raised more than $6,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Rankin's corporate community came through in a big way by donating a number of prizes to encourage participation in the event.

CIBC financial services representative Julie MacMillan said the event wouldn't be so successful without the support of companies like Canadian North.

She said the airline donated a pair of tickets to the top fundraiser in this year's event, Veronica Tattuinee.

"Canadian's Randy Miller presented the tickets to Veronica," said MacMillan.

"She finished just ahead of Krista Andre and Sam Kavik, who finished second and third, respectively, in terms of the amount of money they raised in pledges."

Prizes were also awarded to those who dressed in costumes best depicting the spirit of the Run for the Cure, with this year's winners being Amey Beaton, Sara Acher and Brenna MacEachern.

MacMillan said a poster contest was also held for Grade 4 and 5 students in tandem with the main event.

She said the entire community should take pride in its efforts to support the run.

"The $6,000 raised by our 70plus participants was better then Iqaluit, which only had 30 participants, so hooray for us.

"We owe a big thank you to everyone else who donated prizes, including Arctic College, Northern store, Red Top, Nunavut Development Corp., S and G Taxi, Kivalliq Inuit Association, Umingmak, Kissarvik Coop and the Sugar Rush Cafe.

"We'd also like to thank the Rankin Inlet Fire Department and Kivalliq News for their support of the event.

"We really appreciate it."