A message from event chair Nancy McMillan
BRIGHT Run 2021 was extra special because we were finally able to announce the BRIGHT Run Breast Cancer Learning Health System Chair at McMaster University and introduce the holder of this cutting edge research position, Dr Ashirbani Saha. Dr. Saha already has research studies underway. There is no holding this woman back. We are very fortunate to have her on the BRIGHT Run team and she feels the same way.
The strength of our BRIGHT Run community continues to astound me.
Our participants, team captains, volunteers, executive members, community partners (cash, in-kind services and product), suppliers and donors demonstrated their commitment to BRIGHT Run like no others I have seen or heard of, especially in the second year of the pandemic.
We saw so many new participants, returning participants from 2019 and earlier, and the number of youth and children who participated in this year’s virtual event was overwhelming. Welcome back!
Click here to watch the event day video:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1547997845398684/
The creativity of our fundraisers was truly over the top. From on-line auctions, 50/50 draws, book and plant sales, gift card “spin the wheel” events, trivia nights to, of course, the flocks of flamingos, the sky was the limit and we reached beyond.
The Facebook Live Event Day production was amazing – MC Sunni Genesco from BOUNCE 102.9, entertainment by songstress Meghan DeLima, insight from our multi-faceted survivor spokeswoman Dr. Juliet Daniel, messages from Drs. Ralph Meyer and Mark Levine, as well as presenting sponsor Victoria Mancinelli of LiUNA and finally, a message from BRIGHT Run research chair Dr. Saha. It was a full cast of BRIGHT shining stars!
The fantastic video presentation of photos over the past 13 years, with musical entertainment by Kick ‘n Strings, was wonderful to watch. Did you see yourself? The prelude to the cheque presentation – that balloon certainly got around – was a lot of fun!
The cheque presentation represented the blending of the in-person, with Dr. Jonathan Sussman in studio, and the virtual, with Dr. Ralph Meyer via ZOOM. How interesting is our pandemic world?
And what about that total? More than $354,000 on September 11 and now, more than $367,000. That is a tribute to all of you and the effort and imagination of your fundraising. Simply amazing!
The strength and commitment of our BRIGHT Run community is like no other I have ever been part of. Each of you has contributed to making this event something we should all be very proud of. Together, we are making a big difference, right here in Hamilton. I am truly honoured to be part of such a caring, passionate and committed community. Thank you all so very much.
Now, mark your calendars. Saturday, September 10, 2022 at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. We will celebrate our 15th anniversary BRIGHT Run, safely together. That’s the plan!
