In-person Run for the Cure a sign of hope, but cancer screening delays cause worry
Thousands made their way through the streets of Vancouver Sunday morning for the annual Run for the Cure — a key fundraiser for breast cancer research.
“It is the single largest volunteer-led event in support of the breast cancer cause,” said Elizabeth Garvie, the event's co-director.
“It is so nice to be back in person after two years of having a virtual event, and we’re blown away by the support.”
Despite recently undergoing her first round of chemotherapy treatment, Jennifer Laing walked the 5K route with her family, refusing to sit this one out.
“I have access to treatments now that give me a much better prognosis,” said Laing. “That wouldn’t be possible without research.”
For breast cancer survivor and firefighter Jenn Dawkins, it’s a day of reflection and celebration.
“I have managed to recover incredibly and I’m back at work,” said Dawkins, joined by more than 30 female firefighters from around the province.
But Dawkins, and other survivors CTV News spoke with, say the province’s health-care system needs a better approach to early detection.
“It’s a terrible system right now. The medical system is definitely struggling,” said Dawkins. “In fact, I had my own battles trying to get he appropriate testing I was supposed to get.”
Another survivor says she anxiously waited months for testing she says is vital for detection.
“I’m scheduled for a mammogram every year and I make sure that I do that, but I’m also supposed to be getting an ultrasound done six months after my annual mammogram,” said Shelly Scott, who has been cancer-free for five years.
“And that’s not happening. And I’ve had to fight for it to get it done.”
CTV News recently reported on a 69-year-old who waited months for a biopsy to determine if she had breast cancer. According to the BC Radiological Society, she’s one of thousands of patients waiting for medical imaging in this province.
Organizers say Sunday's event raised more than $680,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
China's latest EV is a 'connected' car from smart phone and electronics maker Xiaomi
Xiaomi, a well-known maker of smart consumer electronics in China, is joining the country's booming but crowded market for electric cars.