Charity Times Magazine - WHO ARE YOU GOING TO RUN FOR?

Are your purchasing habits influenced by a company's philanthropic support of certain causes?

	Yes. I already buy products from companies that support certain causes.
	Yes, I would buy products if I knew the company was supporting charities.
	Maybe ... it depends on what the proceeds are being used for.
	No, there isn't enough transparency to prove my money goes to help.

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO RUN FOR?

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure is Canada's largest single day, volunteer-led fundraising event dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, and education and awareness programs.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women. Breast cancer incidence is the number of new cases diagnosed in a population over a specific time period. Breast Cancer touches every one of us from the affluent to the homeless, there isn't anyone who has not had their life impacted in some way by Breast Cancer.

Each year, thousands of Canadians of all ages and from all walks of life unite to participate in the Run. Their reasons for participating vary, but they all have the same goal; to create a future without breast cancer.

In 2009, an estimated 22,700 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer. On average, that is about 437 women diagnosed every week.
In 2009, an estimated 180 men in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Men with breast cancer make up a little less than 1% of all cases.
In 2009, an estimated 5,400 women and 50 men will die from breast cancer in Canada.
Breast cancer prevalence is the number of people in a population living with breast cancer at a specific point in time.
Among women alive on January 1, 2005 in Canada, 148,542 had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 10 years.
One in nine (11%) Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime (this means by age 90).
Only one in every 28 Canadian women will die from breast cancer. This means that about two-thirds of the women diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada will live through it.

There is more cause to be optimistic. Since 1999, the incidence of breast cancer in Canada has stabilized. Since 1986, the breast cancer death rate has fallen by more than 30% and is currently the lowest it has been since 1950. In women aged 20-39, breast cancer incidence and death rates have declined since 1969.

The significant improvement in survival rates for women with breast cancer since the mid- 1980s is likely a result of improvements in screening and advances in treatment. At present, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer in Canada is 87%, which means that women diagnosed with breast cancer have an 87% likelihood of living for 5 years after their diagnosis.

Fundraising Tips

It’s truly amazing how fundraising makes a difference and every dollar counts towards supporting research, education and awareness programs. If each Run participant raised just $50 more, $8 million would be available to fund research, education and awareness programs, early diagnosis and effective treatment, and a positive quality of life for those living with breast cancer.

Ten Easy Fundraising Tips

If you don't know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there? Set a goal and be prepared to share it with everyone!
Be prepared with a compelling story as to why you’re involved with the Run, why it’s important to you and how breast cancer has impacted your life.
Wear a pink ribbon pin; it starts conversations.
Make a list of all the people you know and ask, ask and ask them again to support you.
Persuade the first person who sponsors you to make a generous donation. Then encourage others to match it!
Keep a print version of the donation form hand, in your purse or pocket.
Find out if your employer will match your fundraising – it’s a great way to double your donations!
Tell people that support you that once you hit a certain goal you will do something daring like shave your head or dress in a crazy outfit for a day.
Host a movie party at your house – Rent a new release, make popcorn, and invite your friends for a movie night. Ask them to donate what they would have spent if they had gone to the movie theatre!
Answering Machine Message. Change your message and let everyone know you’re fundraising for the Run. Let them know you need their support!

To learn more about the Run, visit the Run For The Cure website.