Graham Laces up for a Great Cause
Last fall, over 35 employees, and their families and friends from Kelowna, Calgary and Saskatoon offices donned runners to participate in the annual CIBC Run for the Cure -collectively they raised over CDN$8,560 in support of breast cancer.
Sadly breast cancer touches the lives of many. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, it is estimated that 23,400 Canadian women and 190 men will develop breast cancer in 2011. In the United States, 230,480 women and 2,140 men will develop breast cancer, which is one of the reasons so many participants lace up for this event. "Every woman in my family has developed breast cancer. Two years ago, my mom discovered she had breast cancer," says Paula Wanner, Project Coordinator, Commercial and team captain of the Saskatoon office.
"I've always been touched by this cause. Many employees at Graham have been affected directly by breast cancer," says Jenna Noble, Cost Controller, Project Controls, which is why she has participated as team captain for the Calgary office six years in a row. Across the board, all participants can agree that it's not only a fun day supporting a great cause, but also a chance to get to know their colleagues better.
Team captain, Jennifer Jakubuv, Operations Accountant II, from Kelowna has also been directly affected by breast cancer, "both of my grandmothers were diagnosed with this disease. One of them lost her battle as it was discovered in the later stages. However, it's the fundraising from these events that enabled my other grandmother to get free and regular screening so she could detect and take the steps necessary to beat cancer."
Overall, with the commitment and support of Graham employees and thousands of participants across the nation, $30 million was raised in 2011.
