BRIGHT Run, a Hamilton community response to combat breast cancer

This article was originally published in CBC Hamilton, Aug. 31, 2012

When her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996, Bev Pond decided to fight. Pond has been fighting cancer ever since. She continues this fight with BRIGHT Run.

"It's very prevalent. It hits home to me, most recently, my mother-in-law" said Pond. The BRIGHT (Breast cancer Research in Greater Hamilton Today) Run is an annual fundraiser to support breast cancer research initiatives at the Juravinski Cancer Centre.

Celebrating its 5th anniversary, BRIGHT Run had over 1000 people each year participating the 1km or 5km walk event at the Dundas Conservation Area. Many were cancer patients or survivors. To date the BRIGHT Run has raised over $1.3 million.

It was all done through grassroots support. "We don't have a lot of wealth. Nickels and dimes. But nickels and dimes get us a lot of money," said Mark Levine, BRIGHT executive committee member.

Levine, a practicing oncologist, has been living in Hamilton for 30 years. He helped establish the event five years ago, believing that the city could benefit from having its own run to support breast cancer care and research.

The run is important for breast cancer patients, Levine thinks. "It is a healing journey. It empowers them, giving them control over the disease," explained Levine, calling it a community-based fundraiser.

Breast cancer survivor, Nancy McMillan also believes in this community approach to combat breast cancer. "Many believe that donations go to the administration. But it all actually goes back to the community for research," said McMillan.

"You don't know about that unless you are involved in it. It's an extraordinary privilege to be walking with friends and family," continues McMillan, who has been running for BRIGHT since its inception four years ago.

BRIGHT Run is happening on Sept. 8 at the Dundas Conservation Area. New this year, BRIGHT offers an incentive program for individuals who have gone the extra mile in fundraising.  Aside from participating in the run, you can also sign up to sponsor a team or a person at the BRIGHT Run website.