Canadian Forces in Kandahar mobilizing to give breast cancer the boot

News provided by

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (Ontario Chapter)

Sep 27, 2011, 02:12 ET

Troops lead the charge as Canadian military hosts the first-ever Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure outside Canada on October 1, 2011.

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KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN, Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Forces men and women deployed in Kandahar are rallying the troops to host the first-ever Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure outside Canada.

"Members of the Mission Transition Task Force (MTTF) receive great support from their loved ones and fellow Canadians back in Canada. Cancer delivers a heavy blow when it strikes a family," said Colonel Jim Davis, Deputy Commander MTTF. "As Canadians we all understand this, which is why we are keen to lace up and do our part to Run for the Cure."

"We want to do our part to give breast cancer the boot," said Major (Maj) Doris King, a member of the MTTF currently deployed at Kandahar Airfield (KAF). "Many of the men and women we work together with know someone affected by breast cancer and we want to do our part to help raise funds for research and awareness about this disease."

While the Run for the Cure in Canada will be held in 59 communities across the nation on October 2, this first-ever Run for the Cure outside the country will see an estimated over 200 military and other personnel from Canada, the U.S. and Britain double-timing it around KAF to raise funds and awareness.

"We were honoured when Doris approached us and offered to take the initiative to organize this Run for the Cure halfway around the world," said Trish Bronsch, CEO for CBCF-Prairies/NWT Region. "Breast cancer knows no boundaries and we encourage Canadians like Doris to show their support wherever they are in the world. We hope the Kandahar Run for the Cure sets a good foundation for future events around the globe."

Organizing the KAF Run for the Cure is a full-troop effort among the Canadian men and women troops based in Afghanistan.

"Each year I participated, I was continually impressed by the atmosphere and momentum the event gained," said Major King. "Knowing I was going to be in Kandahar with the military this year, I knew there would be a lot of us here who would welcome the opportunity to keep our participation tradition going. Mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, family . . . we all have a reason to put the boots to this enemy and give the Run for the Cure our full support."

This year the Run for the Cure wants to know "who you are running for?" Breast cancer shows no boundaries and the Foundation encourages those Canadians living overseas, like those in Kandahar, to show their support from wherever they are in the world.

KAF Run for the Cure organizers hope that awareness about their Run for the Cure will encourage Canadian Forces personnel, family members and people in military communities across Canada to register [www.cbcf.org] to participate as individuals or form their own local teams back at home to support the Foundation's vision of creating a future without breast cancer.

If you would like to make a donation to the Run for the Cure Kandahar team we encourage you to show your support by visiting here.
If you live outside of Canada and would like to get more information on how you can organize a Run for the Cure event, please contact Keith McNally at [email protected].
To get involved with a Canadian site Run for the Cure please visit www.cbcf.org, click on the Run for the Cure image and register as a participant.

About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure
Since 1992, the annual Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure remains the largest, single-day, volunteer-led national event in support of creating a future without breast cancer. In 2010, close to 170,000 participants raised $33 million to fund innovative breast cancer research, education and awareness programs. On Sunday, October 2, 2011, this national movement will connect participants and volunteers in 59 communities across the country to support our vision of creating a future without breast cancer. For more information, visit www.cbcf.org

About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - 25 Years of Progress
For the last 25 years, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation has been at the forefront of a nation-wide movement to raise awareness and mobilize action on breast cancer. Today, the Foundation is the leading organization in Canada dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer. Since 1986, from coast to coast, we have invested over $230 million to fund vital research, education and health promotion programs that have led progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Visit cbcf.org and join the movement.

SOURCE Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (Ontario Chapter)

Image with caption: "Captain (Capt) Krystal Turner, member of the Mission Transition Task Force (MTTF), decorating her shoes for the Run for the Cure. (CNW Group/Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (Ontario Chapter))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110927_C6990_PHOTO_EN_3894.jpg

Image with caption: "Captain (Capt) Krystal Turner, member of the Mission Transition Task Force (MTTF), preparing for the Run for the Cure. (CNW Group/Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (Ontario Chapter))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110927_C6990_PHOTO_EN_3895.jpg

Image with caption: "Captain (Capt) Krystal Turner, member of the Mission Transition Task Force (MTTF), decorated shoes for the Run for the Cure. (CNW Group/Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (Ontario Chapter))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110927_C6990_PHOTO_EN_3897.jpg

Video with caption: "Who are you running for? Run for the Cure - Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20110927_C6990_VIDEO_EN_3898.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20110927_C6990_PHOTO_EN_3898.jpg&clientName=Canadian%20Breast%20Cancer%20Foundation%20%28Ontario%20Chapter%29&caption=Who%20are%20you%20running%20for%3F%20Run%20for%20the%20Cure%20%2D%20Kandahar%20Airfield%2C%20Afghanistan&title=Who%20are%20you%20running%20for%3F%20Run%20for%20the%20Cure%20%2D%20Kandahar%20Airfield