News & Events

Elmwood School strong supporter of CIBC Run for the Cure

OTTAWA, September 15, 2008 – According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1 in 9 women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime. One in 28 will die of it.

Chances are you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. That message resonates even more at Ottawa’s Elmwood School for girls, whose support for the annual CIBC Run for the Cure is more than a one day event, it is a month-long campaign.

Designed to raise the profile of the fight against breast cancer, Elmwood’s Run for the Cure campaign begins before the school year in August, with parent volunteers coordinating registrations for the Run. Over the course of September, various fundraising events take place, ranging from bake sales, barbecues, Pink Accessory Day, and in-school House Competitions.

Take a walk through Elmwood’s hallways, and you will see student-made posters strategically placed throughout the school. Plasma screens run ads encouraging students to raise not only funds but breast cancer awareness. This week, Dr. Shailendra Verma, medical oncologist at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre addresses students during the weekly assembly.

In 2007, Elmwood raised over $22,000 for breast cancer research through the tireless efforts ofParents’ and Friends’ Association Committee volunteers, students and staff. Elmwood has won the CIBC Run for the Cure Ottawa School Team Challenge Award the past 8 years; the 2008 campaign is off and running and looks just as promising as previous years.

“The Run is a true Elmwood community event and one that is very near and dear to the hearts of our students. We do not simply aim to raise the greatest sum, but also to raise the profile of this important issue,” said Head of School, Cheryl Boughton. "We encourage participation in the Run because global citizenship and community service are important aspects of our mandate."

This year’s run, which takes place on Sunday, October 5, is the culmination of all the hard work and dedication put in by Elmwood parents, students and staff. And afterwards, when the street barricades are taken down, the balloons deflated, and the receipts totalled, those in the Elmwood community will take a quiet moment to catch their breath and reflect.

But only for a moment. Because next year’s campaign will start before you know it.