$441,000…and counting! That’s how much the BRIGHT community raised this year for local breast cancer research!
Many thanks to all participants, community partners, and volunteers. It’s not possible without all three.
Sure, there was a bit of drizzle, but our pinked-up new home at Christie Lake Conservation Area was a big hit!
Event chair Nancy McMillan said the move to Christie Lake Conservation Area was needed because BRIGHT outgrew Dundas Valley, with an outpouring of support in 2022 after two years of COVID-necessitated safe virtual events.
Here are Nancy’s thoughts on BRIGHT 2023:
“Christie Lake Conservation Area exceeded all expectations. About 1,500 participants and 200 volunteers made sure the day of celebration and excitement did not disappoint.
We had an equal mix of returning and new participants along with three additional food vendors, a refreshed site facelift with new signs and décor, including the pink ribbon of flowers, the new start/finish arch, and the beautiful wall of hope with cards a flutter!
More parking, golf carts and washrooms than imaginable. The little things are what make the magic.
So many smiles, hugs, gales of laughter – that tells me that we had a great day.”
Here’s what a few others had to say:
Pamela Jean – Captain, Princess Pam’s Tribe
“BRIGHT Run gives me hope that one day no one will ever have to hear “it was positive, you have breast cancer.” BRIGHT Run is a day filled with so much love and support. No one is competing to be the best. It’s all about being the best you! I love the sea of pink, it inspires me to dance like no one is watching.
I had six family members drive two days each way to surprise me this year, they wanted to show their love and support for me. It made me cry and was just so touching. They come from a small town of 1,400 people so to be able to participate in BRIGHT Run – which had more participants than their community – was pretty amazing.
I loved the new location other than the hills on the trail. The lake in the background of one of pictures I took looks so pretty. Lots of real washrooms and no shuttle round out the great things about Christie Lake Conservation Area!”
Tristan D’Souza – Marketing and brand specialist at BRIGHT community partner HMECU, first-time BRIGHT Run volunteer
“My first BRIGHT Run experience was amazing. It was a well-organized, high-energy event that drew a remarkable turnout of supporters.
The Christie Lake site had a great view, which added an extra layer of magic to the experience. Seeing the runners enjoy the course against that backdrop was truly something special.”
Donna Stasiuk – Long-time BRIGHT Run participant
“What a fantastic day and the perfect location. I can’t believe we outgrew Dundas Valley Conservation Area but that is actually a great thing. Christie Lake Conservation Area is a perfect destination for BRIGHT Run. So gorgeous and right by the water, so open and spacious, and the walking trail had plenty of room for everyone
More room for BRIGHT Run to keep on growing. Thank you, BRIGHT Run, for all you do!”
Mark Calcagni – Team member, In It Together
“The 2023 BRIGHT Run was a great experience as usual. We may have been at a new location, but it was so nice to see the crowd of white and pink T-shirts spread throughout Christie Lake Conservation Area.
My mom and my aunt would have loved the new location and seeing their BRIGHT family. We may have had more hills this time but nothing could stop us from walking for this great cause. The view of the lake was an added bonus.”
