CIBC Run for the Cure in Honour of Courtney Yakimetz

CIBC Run for the Cure in Honour of Courtney Yakimetz

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

A total of 60 participants of all ages took part in the 2021 CIBC Run for the Cure at the Vegreville Rotary Peace Park on October 3.

People of all ages walked and ran a total of five kilometres to raise funds for breast cancer research. The event was held in honour of Courtney Yakimetz who passed away from stage four breast cancer in June of this year.

Run Coordinator Kendall Crowle is a member of the team ‘The Rack Pack’. She explained, “We started the team the year Courtney was first diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s our third year with the team. We usually do the event in the city, to support my sister Courtney, but since she passed away recently, we decided to host it in Vegreville so her community could more easily participate.

Participants of all ages take part in the run.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

I have no affiliation with Run for the Cure. We just wanted to do something to honour Courtney. In future years we hope to have an event to raise more awareness for stage four breast cancer to support those battling it and to bring awareness. The Breast Cancer Gene, (BRCA) mutation gives you a high risk 80 percent plus of developing breast cancer and a high risk of ovarian cancer.

My sister and I did genetic testing after her first breast cancer diagnosis and found out we are both BRCA 1+.

We raised $4,589.40 for Run for the Cure where the money goes towards breast cancer research. We wanted to bring awareness to stage four metastatic breast cancers as well as raise additional funds that will be donated to METAvivor organization which donates funds directly to helping those with stage four cancer.”

Participants of all ages take part in the run.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

My sister, Courtney’s goal was to raise awareness and education for breast cancer, especially stage four, incurable cancer and the BRCA gene mutation. In the future, we hope to honour her by continuing her dream and we encourage everyone to continue to fight for breast cancer treatments, research and supports.”

Jamie Wasylciw, Customer Service Representative for CIBC Vegreville Branch, said every year, CIBC has a really big silent auction where they donate all the proceeds to CIBC Run for the Cure. “The donations from the silent auction are all made by local businesses. This is just what our branch does, all other branches of CIBC do different things for this event. I believe it has been over 25 years that CIBC Branch in Vegreville has been involved with this.”