According to the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), an estimated 27,900 Canadians are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. One local is seeking to help and support those living with breast cancer in Kamloops, and you can too. This is Kamloops 28 Run for the Cure, Ben Schmidt is the Kamloops run director of community and corporate engagement for the CCS, the largest volunteer-led breast cancer support and fundraising effort in Canada. In his role, he helps organize for the CIBC Run for the Cure, a national fundraiser happening in different cities across Canada. Donations from the run are used to provide support on programs, research, wigs and other headwear and breast prostheses.
Schmidt has occupied this role for three years, becoming involved in 2022 in honour of his sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I was going crazy with worry and concern, and I saw the sign at CIBC about Run for the Cure, and I signed up that day… to volunteer,” he says.
In his role he organized about a dozen small events to bring awareness and seek donations for breast cancer research.
As there was only one person from Kamloops a part of the CCS committee, Schmidt was happy he signed up.
When CCS asked him if he wanted to direct the race, he happily took on the role in honour of his sister.
“Last year we had almost 300 people registered, which was amazing,” Schmidt says. “This year, we’re hoping for more.”
In 2023, Run for the Cure raised $44,000 dollars and Schmidt says the support from Kamloops was bolstering. This year the goal is to raise $50,000 dollars.
Most of the money raised goes toward research in labs and hospitals across Canada that are funded by the CCS, Schmidt explains.
The run also features participants of hope, people who have or have had breast cancer, whom Schmidt describes as “VIPs.” They normally have special t-shirts and have access to a lounge where they can rest. The volunteers of the race put together a gift package for all the cancer survivors and people living with cancer.
Sponsors like Foxy Box Laser and Wax Bar and others for the race help run the event.
“My least favorite part of all this is having to ask [for money], because I know everybody’s struggling a little bit in some way, but once I build up, almost everybody is more than willing to help,” Schmidt says. “It just makes me so happy when I hear that ‘yes’.”
The race is set for Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Riverside Park, and participants are welcome to walk or run either one or five kilometers.
If you are interested in donating, volunteering or signing up you can do so here.
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