Hundreds of runners and walkers of nearly age, shape and fitness level took place in Sunday’s Raymond James Father’s Day Walk and Run for Prostrate Cancer.
The event — which included a 5 K and 10 K run — started and ended at Vancouver Island Tech Park near the Interurban Campus of Camosun College.
The event is the signature event of the Island Prostate Centre for the year in the fight against prostrate cancer. Corporate support from Raymond James means that 100 per cent of the funds raised go to support programs in the community. Those programs cover a range of areas from nurse support and support groups to exercise and nutrition.
“This is why this event is really important because without fundraising events like this the hundreds of men who we help on an annual basis wouldn’t have access to the programs that we offer,” said Leanne Kopp, executive director of the Island Prostate Centre. “And all of these programs are free and open to any man who has been impacted by a recent diagnosis of prostate cancer or are in the recovery stage.”
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men. It is estimated that more than 800 men on Vancouver Island and 3,800 across British Columbia receive a diagnosis, according to the Island Prostate Centre.