The most powerful force on earth is a large group (4,500+) of mostly women with a just cause who decide they want to change the world.  This is the best and most accurate description of the Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers I can think of.  This September 10^th and 11^th will be the ninth year for the Walk.  

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been raised across Canada by the remarkable women (and men!) of the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers.  The walking is not easy…..32 km on Saturday and 28km on Sunday for a grand total of 60km for the two day walkers.  Fund raising is also tough in that a two day walker must raise $2,000 as a minimum. 

So why do these brave and spirited women and men sign up to walk and volunteer?  As Johnny Reid sings so brilliantly because “They want to change the world”.  We all want to Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime…..and particularly we want to End Women’s Cancers in Our Lifetime! By the way, Johnny Reid and his Pink Tartan team are walking and Johnny will be singing at opening ceremony! 

So let me give you a heads up on the incredible route this year.  We are starting at Downsview Park where the parking is free and plentiful.  We’ll walk a beautiful city plus park walk downtown through some of Toronto’s most vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods. 

We’ll walk around the U of T, down my favourite restaurant street in the world (Baldwin Street) and then come out right by Princess Margaret. 

We’ll stop for pictures and celebration and high fives with hospital staff and volunteers by the score. 

We’ll head back to Downsview through parks and a great and eclectic cross section of Toronto neighbourhoods. 

We’ll finish to cheers and hugs and celebration back at camp at Downsview. Camp is amazing and this year will be a grand celebration so hang around even if you are not sleeping out. 

Day two starts bright and early at Downsview. We’ll travel through neighbourhoods which have been so special and welcoming in the past as well as new neighbourhoods.  Near the end of the walk on Day 2 get ready for some great surprises…..actually ALWAYS be prepared for great and warm and wonderful surprises both days! 

Finishing line at Downsview and closing ceremony is special and emotional and memorable beyond description.  This is just a sneak peak at what will be the most special weekend of the year! 

Get ready veteran walkers for some great and special new route, camp and other delightful surprises! Newbies, get ready for a weekend that could well change your life!  I can’t wait to see you and start walking!!!! This will be the BEST WALK YET!!!  See you SOON!!!

Warm Regards,



Paul Alofs (9 Year Walker)
President & CEO

Click on the image to read and download our full report of how we're using your fundraising to help end women's cancers:

 

 

The 2010 Weekend marks the eighth weekend we have walked together, and our eighth closing ceremony.

These eight years of shared experiences have formed a long-lasting bond between us, and I am ever grateful for your support and, above all, for your trust.

I can promise you this: as researchers we will do all in our power to reward that trust.

With your help, eight years ago we launched the Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research. Today that Institute houses 100 researchers and clinicians who are working ceaselessly to bring about the defeat of this devastating disease.

However, these seven years have shown us that ours is a mission that cannot be achieved by a small group in a short time.

Three years ago, with your help, we took our battle beyond the borders of Ontario and joined forces with the formidable team of Dr. Dennis Slamon at UCLA. Dennis is the inventor of Herceptin, the only sharp-shooting drug for breast cancer to date.

Many of you will recall that he stood before you three years ago at the closing ceremony to express his thanks for your support in fighting a disease that respects no border.

Just three months ago, Dennis met with many of you at the Princess Margaret Hospital to tell you how our joint forces are going to forge ahead.

Today I am pleased to tell you that we gain two more outstanding allies in our fight: Dr. Sam Aparicio of the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, and Dr. Jeff Pollard of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

We share a joint vision, and we will all work together, sometimes slowly but always methodically, and in the end, we will learn why breast cancer starts and how to stop it.

At this seven year mark, we can rejoice in significant progress. We now know that breast cancer is not one disease, but several different ones. Some have been easy to characterize, but others remain a difficult challenge.

We, Drs Hal Berman and Mona Gauthier, have also discovered that the genetic signatures of the worst types of breast cancer are similar to those of ovarian cancers. There are clues in here, and if we can find the common elements, we may be able to develop drugs that can cure a whole raft of devastating malignancies.

So, I once again thank you for your continued support. Rest assured that the research community shares your dreams, and that we remain united with you in our cause to make breast cancer, and eventually all cancers, a nightmare of the past.

The Walkers, Crew, Volunteers, supporters and Donors of The Shoppers Drug Mart® Weekend to End Women’s Cancers™ throughout the years are extremely important to breast and gynecologic cancer work at The Princess Margaret. All funds raised for The Weekend support critical areas such as:

Research

• $40.5 million to The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research led by Dr. Tak Mak, with 11 Principal Investigators and over 130 staff.
• $5.2 million to purchase cutting edge research equipment and support breast cancer research activities in the PMH research expansion at MaRS (Medical and Related Science).
• $3 million to create The Weekend to End Breast Cancer Chair in Breast Cancer Research, held by Dr. Tak Mak, a world renowned cancer research scientist.
• $1.4 million to the Walker Innovation Program, which supports researchers and new ideas that have the potential for advancing scientific knowledge of breast cancer.
• $1.3 million to support Dr. Norman Boyd’s research into breast cancer prevention, focusing on the understanding of mammographic density as a risk factor.
• Funding to support Dr. Pamela Ohashi’s research into T-cell activation and immunotherapy.

Clinical Enhancements

• $3.9 million toward a comprehensive breast imaging program and the purchase of a breast MRI and digital mammography machine.
• $3 million toward a newly revamped and re-designed M. Lau Breast Centre that provides complete care for breast cancer patients.
• $2.3 million to support clinical trials for breast cancer patients.
• $2 million to support an extensive Tumour Bank, database maintenance and pathology renovations.
• $1.3 million to support Dr. David McCready’s rapid diagnosis pilot study, which is now The Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre and sees up to 750 patients a year.
• $550,000 to support the clinical trial of intraoperative radiation therapy, led by Dr. David McCready and Dr. Anthony Fyles.
• $250,000 toward the design and creation of the new Conway Chemotherapy and Transfusion Centre, the largest centre of its kind in North America.
• $200,000 to support the surgical robotics program for gynecological cancer patients.
• $160,000 toward the Familial Ovarian Cancer Clinic, which now also provides genetic counselling for breast cancer patients.
• $2.2 million for other clinical enhancements and genetics research programs.

Survivorship

• 8.4 million for the establishment and continued support of the first in-hospital Survivorship Clinic and Program in Canada. This includes ELLICSR, a 12,000-square-foot innovative research centre, led by Dr. Pamela Catton, and www.caringvoices.ca, an award-winning online community for survivors and their families.
• $1 million to provide reconstructive breast surgery for women who have had breast cancer.

In 2011, we are expanding the power of this event. Yes, breast cancer is a core issue in women’s health. But so are other women’s cancers and now that we know there could be links between breast and gynecologic cancers, it’s time to evolve our mission. Now, we’re no longer determined to end only breast cancer, but all women’s cancers, step by step.

Under the leadership of Dr. Tak Mak, who is the first Weekend Chair in Breast Cancer Research, The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at The Princess Margaret brings Canada’s top researchers together to mount a multi-pronged attack on breast cancer. This team, in association with a network of international partners, will:

• Direct research into areas targeting genes to fight the disease
• Develop new treatments
• Conduct clinical trials

The hospital's M. Lau Breast Centre has been revamped into a well designed, integrated and highly functional new breast centre, made possible by the WEBC. The centre officially opened in August 2006.