Approximately 11, 000 volunteers give generously of their time for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the single largest volunteer-led fundraising event in Canada. Although their responsibilities and time commitments differ, their goals and objectives are the same – to support the Foundation’s vision of creating a future without breast cancer.

Baljot Mangat was affected by breast cancer at an early age. The first time Run Director for the Brampton Run site was still in high school when her mother found a lump in her breast.
Unfortunately, embarrassment and fear caused her mother to delay diagnosis and treatment.  Thankfully, doctors helped the family overcome their fear and Baljot was inspired to make a real change in her community through fundraising and raising awareness for breast cancer.  Through her own walk-a-thon, iRock Pink, she, along with the help of 100 volunteers, raised over $7000 from more than 500 participants in the Brampton area.

The Foundation is honoured to have such a motivated and determined young woman on the Run Director team this year.

Jules is a six year breast cancer survivor and motivational speaker who has taken her inspirational message of hope to groups, large and small, throughout the Lower Mainland of BC. 

Jules started volunteering her time in 2005 through the Foundation’s health promotion program the Mother Daughter Breakfast Tour. Jules recently placed 3rd in the 2009 Laff Riot Girls Funniest Female Comic Competition with her standup show about breast cancer.  Jules’ humor, combined with her sincerity, make her a sought after speaker for the Foundation’s key events.  Jules gives her time generously and we are honoured to share her story.

Supportive. Dedicated. Leader. These are just a few words used by fellow volunteer committee members to describe Darryl Dicks. Darryl has been volunteering with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in St. John’s, NL for four years where he has continuously shown his commitment and hard working nature. Overseeing the marketing and communications role is his primary focus. Darryl has logged many hours making the local media aware of the Run and all the events that the organizing committee holds to promote and create awareness about the event. Darryl not only cultivated new relationships with the media, he nurtured them so the St. John’s Run Site secured some vital free advertising and awareness of the cause. Prior to Run day, Darryl practically moved mountains to ensure news coverage was gained to encourage last minute registration for the Run while a provincial election was taking place. And if this wasn’t enough to keep Darryl busy, he could also be found helping with registration, moving of the Run materials to the Run site and pitching in to sell tickets for committee fundraising.

On Run day, Darryl also makes himself available to help out with route and Run site set-up.  Truly an outstanding volunteer, our co-Run Director Susan says it best, “While all our volunteers are appreciated, Darryl stands out from the crowd and deserves to be recognized for his quiet and steadfast approach to volunteering. He doesn't seek to draw attention or credit for his actions but continues to increase his efforts and we are a better committee and Run site because of him”.  Congratulations Darryl!

If the pink ribbons have helped raise awareness of breast cancer throughout Canada, it’s partly due to a team of dedicated volunteers who have committed their time and skills in crafting the ribbons. You see them on various days of the week in any one of our offices coast to coast; they also host “pink parties” with corporate partners, bridal showers, community gatherings, and other events to support the cause.

At the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s Central Office in Toronto our wonderful volunteers visit us on a weekly basis to help create the pink ribbons. Our volunteers have given faithfully and passionately to help create awareness through this program since 2004 – and we regard them as family. They have created over 100,000 ribbons annually contributing to the one million we distribute nationally! 
Our volunteers are members of Corbrook, an agency with the mission of assisting individuals with developmental disabilities to lead more independent lives. Our Corbrook volunteers are part of the Foundation team and they enjoy the work, socializing and, most of all, contributing to the cause in a meaningful way.

in the picture: L- R  Karen Booth, Melinda Waslyk, Doug Watt, Izabella Lipowski (staff), Doung Quang, Michele Martel (Corbrook), Toronto, ON

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is proud of our volunteer Run Directors who are dedicated, hard working and passionate about the cause. These hard working individuals commit year-round to ensure the success of our signature fundraising event – the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.

In March every year our volunteer Run Directors attend a series of informative and interactive sessions at Run Director Training, where they spend valuable time with fellow volunteers and staff from across Canada.

Last year, 170,000 Canadians participated in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, raising over $26.5 million for breast cancer research, education, and awareness programs - an outstanding success.