News & Events

Elmwood Eagles set to soar at CIBC Run for the Cure

Thursday September 25

Over $23,000 raised for breast cancer research at Ottawa all-girls’ school

Ottawa, September 25, 2008 – Elmwood School has steadily raised the profile of the fight against breast cancer over the years. 2008 is no exception.

Currently in 3rd place nationwide for school teams, Elmwood students, parents and staff continue to fundraise and make preparations for the Run on October 5.

Fresh from the success of last week’s school barbecue, which raised close to $1,200, the Elmwood Eagles have already raised over $23,000 for breast cancer research.

Elmwood has benefited from its community’s generosity—Sam Lima Denture Clinic has made the single largest donation to the campaign in Elmwood history. Mr. Lima, along with wife Sherry, have been Elmwood parents for 6 years; their daughters Lore and Cristina attend the school and eagerly await to run with the Eagles team, which counts 182 participants and continues to grow.

"Run for the Cure builds friendships among students because all of us have been affected by breast cancer whether it be a friend, mother, or sister. It promotes team work and raises awareness for women, bringing Elmwood closer as a community—because we can all do our best at protecting ourselves and other women among us," said daughters Lore and Cristina.

Elmwood Community members and friends are encouraged to participate in the Run because global citizenship and community service are important aspects of the school’s mandate. Over the course of September, events included guest speakers, bake sales, barbecues, Pink Accessory Day, and in-school House Competitions. The campaign would not be possible without the seemingly inexhaustible efforts of Elmwood Parents' and Friends' Association Committee volunteers, who are the driving force behind the above events.

"The leadership shown by PFAC is incredibly valuable to the Elmwood community, and I especially appreciate the efforts of campaign coordinators Sherry Lima and Kelly Brandys. Our campaign would simply not be as successful without them. They display citizenship, community service and are dedicated, committed women who are excellent role models for our students," said Head of School, Cheryl Boughton.

"The one thing that I always come away with during Elmwood's Run for the Cure campaign is the amazing support of the Elmwood Community. Even though it is a fairly intense few weeks of fundraising for the school, the parents and kids all rally behind the cause and support us enthusiastically," said Mrs. Brandys.

Elmwood’s Run campaign dovetails with its International Baccalaureate programming, which aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

While Elmwood’s campaign sets a celebratory tone for its fundraising, a seriousness underlies its festivity—1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer. One in 28 will die of it.*

That knowledge is not lost upon the girls at Elmwood School, who are doing their part to help create a future without breast cancer.

*Source: Canadian Cancer Society

Editor's Note – June 11, 2009: The final tally for Elmwood School's 2008 Run for the Cure campaign came in at $27,809.