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There’s never been a better reason to grab your old pair of sneakers: on September 30, you can join thousands of runners at the �ؿ�ζSM for the Canadian Breast Cancer CIBC Run for the Cure.

“One in nine women (is) diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime,” says Sandra Palmaro, CEO of Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation-Ontario. “There is still so much more for us to learn and it is critical that we continue to invest in innovative and relevant research each and every year.”  

The event is likely to attract a large audience and will be hosted in 59 communities across Canada. Last year, more than 170,000 supporters united to raise $30 million towards breast cancer research.

Highlighting the running routes for the Toronto and Mississauga locations will be U of T’s St. George and Mississauga campuses. The routes have been a tradition for U of T’s involvement with the run: a partnership which began three years ago. 

The first Canadian Run for the Cure took place in Toronto’s High Park in 1992; today it is the largest single-day, volunteer-led fundraiser in Canada.

Among participants in last year’s run was U of T student Caroline Cormier, one of the winners of the CIBC Education Award. Her team, Run EMC, was able to draw in $3,734.

“Breast cancer has affected so many of the women in my life. It was witnessing their strength and perseverance that inspired me to get involved with the important cause,” says Cormier, who is registered again this year.

“[The CIBC Run for the Cure is] such an incredible opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the invaluable programs offered by the Foundation and, ultimately, to a future without breast cancer.”

The money raised from the charity will go towards multiple grants aimed at treatment and support for breast cancer patients.

Among the beneficiaries of such grants is U of T’s Dr. Toni Zhong who aims to study new biological materials to improve breast reconstruction surgery for patients.

Zhong, an assistant professor with the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery believes breast reconstruction surgery can help restore femininity and improve the body image of breast cancer patients.

“We are moving into an era of measuring patient satisfaction and quality of life,” says Zhong, “and as surgeons we need to take patient perspectives into account.” 

Today, roughly 20 per cent of women have reconstruction – a process that requires two separate surgeries. With the funding generated from the run, Zhong hopes to research new breast reconstruction material that would allow surgeons to accomplish everything in one procedure.

The U of T community has made tremendous contributions to the run over the years. In 2010 and 2011 the university led all groups in donations with $110,000 and $80,000 respectively. Those interested in joining this year’s run still have time to register. Participants can sign up individually or in a group and choose between a 1K or 5K route .