SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Members of the Run for Our Lives organizing committee are about to cross the finish line after a five-year-long fundraising marathon. The 14 women could be days away from raising enough money to purchase a new digital mammography machine for the Stanton Territorial Hospital.

With enough support from NWT residents this weekend, the women expect to achieve their $400,000 fundraising goal on Sunday afternoon during the sixth annual CIBC Run For Our Lives event in the St. Patrick High School gym.

"We're close enough that if we get a big enough turnout on Sunday we will meet our goal," said committee member Louise Dundas Matthews. "We're crossing our fingers. We're 99 per cent sure that we are going to be able to announce that we have reached the target at the event."

In five years the committee has raised more than $810,000. The money has been used to support projects and services administered by the NWT Breast Health/Breast Cancer Action Group and the Breast Cancer Patient Navigator program at Stanton Territorial Hospital, which provides assistance for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer. A quarter of the funds are directed toward national breast cancer research each year.

As of January 2010, the committee had accumulated $193,000 for the mammography machine fund garnered from five annual CIBC Run For Our Lives events. That sum, coupled with the forecasted total for the upcoming event this weekend, brought the committee to within about $150,000 of the $400,000 target.

"In 2005 we had no idea what kind of a response we would get and right from the beginning we've been overwhelmed with the support of NWT residents," Dundas Matthews said. "The CIBC Run for Our Lives is an NWT home-grown event. The fact that this is an event that is controlled by Northerners is one of the reasons why it's been such a success. People are very supportive of taking care of their neighbours and their community."

The mammography machine at Stanton Territorial Hospital is the last large piece of diagnostic imaging equipment to go digital. The hospital's X-ray machines, CT scan and ultrasound have all been upgraded in past years.

A new mammography machine would provide for less compression and discomfort in patients, clearer images and earlier detection.

"Early detection saves lives," said Linda Bussey, executive director of the Stanton Foundation.

The Stanton Foundation administers the Run for Our Lives committee under its own Breast Health Committee. Each year the foundation raises money for new equipment or in support of expanded programs or services.

In December 2009, the foundation focused its annual fundraising campaign on the acquisition of a new mammography machine, devoting its signature fundraising event, the Festival of Trees, to the Run for Our Lives mammography machine fund.

The foundation also organized several more fundraising events earlier this year to help the committee reach its goal this weekend.

Despite the milestone about to be reached at the CIBC Run for Our Lives event on Sunday, members of the organizing committee recognize the event as something more than just a fundraising effort.

"For me it's not really about raising all the money," said committee member Melinda Harris. "It's about raising awareness."

The event inspires schools, workplaces, sports teams, neighbours, families, and businesses to talk about the effect breast cancer has on NWT communities. About 40 volunteers help run the event each year.

"It's more than just a run," Dundas Matthews said. "It's an event that brings the community together with people coming out in support of their sister, their mother, their friend, their neighbour. There are so many people that have been touched by breast cancer. This is a way for them to feel that they are giving support."

Participants can register for the one, three, or five kilometre runs at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday at St. Patrick High School. The program kicks off at 1 p.m. and the runs begin at 1:30 p.m. Awards and closing ceremonies will begin at 2:30 p.m., at which time totals will be tallied.

If enough money is raised, a new mammography machine could be installed in Stanton Territorial Hospital early in the new year.

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