Headline News

Gilmour Girls Walk for the Cure

October 15, 2024

By Michael Riley

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On Oct. 6, the Gilmour Girls of Tudor and Cashel Township participated in this year’s CIBC Run/Walk for the Cure. This yearly fundraiser raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society and is the largest single day, volunteer led event in Canada to support the fight against breast cancer.
Councillor Elain Holloway, who participated in the walk, says they came together as a team to support the estimated thousands of women and mean diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada annually. She says they believe better treatment options and survival outcomes are possible and they wanted to support all Canadians impacted by breast cancer, including their family and friends.
“With the help of our team leader, Keitha McNeil, and our many supporters, including her husband, Rob Chaffey, who kept us hydrated and safe on the trail, we were able to exceed our goal raising $1,439.80, funds to help groundbreaking breast cancer research and support programs and services for those impacted by this disease,” she says.
Chaffey told Bancroft This Week that this was the second CIBC Walk/Run for the Cure the Gilmour Girls did and while they walked, he carried water, juice, jackets and more while on an ATV running beside them. He says he rode ahead of them so they had some peace and quiet and stopped a way up the Heritage Trail so they could catch up, and get a refreshment.
“They have raised $2,600 in the two years that they’ve walked together. They’re a small but determined group and they hope more people will come out next year.  We personally know so many people who have been touched by this horrible disease. Cancer seems to hit everyone’s family and we have to keep pushing for a cure,” he says.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society website, this year’s CIBC Run for the Cure raised over $15 million for Canadians impacted by breast cancer. The money raised funds groundbreaking breast cancer research that will help more people live with and beyond cancer, shape health policies that can help prevent breast cancer and support Canadians who have been diagnosed, and provides a national support system so no one has to cope with breast cancer alone. While this year’s run may be over, they’re still accepting donations at www.cancer.ca/en/get-involved/our-events/cibc-run-for-the-cure.
Holloway says that it seems the more we talk about cancer the more we hear how many are affected by this horrible disease. 
“My family have lost a number of loved ones to cancer. We are thankful we can also share we have had several who are cancer survivors; my mother, two of her sisters and three of their children,” she says.
Holloways says the Gilmour Girls walked just over six kilometres along one of the most beautiful heritage trails in Tudor and Cashel.   
“We were blessed with excellent weather, the rain held off and after the walk, we sat in fellowship enjoying snacks at the community centre. Thank you to everyone who supported our team and to all supporters of the Canadian Cancer Society Run for the Cure,” she says.
Holloway told Bancroft This Week that Tudor and Cashel will also be hosting Cancer Awareness: Breast Cancer Awareness Lunch and Learn, courtesy of the Ontario Seniors Accessibility Grant 2024/2025 on Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Join Kim Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada, as she enlightens us on the science, screening, detection, treatment and patient outcomes. This session isn’t just for women in our community. Thousands of Canadians are affected by breast cancer, both patients and their families. Much is yet to be understood about this disease that has affected more lives than we could count. Join us Oct. 23 at the Tudor and Cashel community centre at 371 Weslemkoon Lake Road in Gilmour,” she says. “Together we can make a difference.”