BRIGHT Event Chair Nancy McMillan spent the month of February in the sunny south. Despite being almost 2,000K from home, Nancy ended up in the pink of it! Here’s her report:
On Feb. 8, I did something I have not done for a long time. I participated in a breast cancer fundraising event as a survivor participant.
As the 312 runners and walkers headed out under the pink balloon arch, blaring from the speakers was my all-time favorite tune, Walking on Sunshine! I knew I was in the right place at the right time.
This is year three for the PINK RUN, which raises funds to provide financial assistance to breast cancer patients in Northwest Florida. Amy Walsh, founder of Fore Her, organizes this event along with several others, in memory of her mom and aunt. In 2024, the PINK RUN distributed close to $75,000.
I was so proud to pull on my PINK RUN t-shirt, lace up my HOKA running shoes (thank you, Kintec for the perfect fit), and attach all five of my BRIGHT Run volunteer pins to my “hairy-hat.” Off I went to walk with “my people.” As the only Canadian in the field, I was a bit of an oddity, but it did give me the opportunity to meet and chat with many breast cancer supporters, survivors and patients.
It is always such a privilege to be able to encourage a current patient or fellow survivor by saying, “Hey, hang in there. This is what 18 years cancer free looks like,” and smile.
A few of the unique walk highlights included the “Caution: alligators may be present” sign located strategically behind one of the rest area benches, a lovely and colourful umbrella roof art installation and numerous errant golf balls. FYI, I finished the 5km walk in just under an hour and…I got a medal!
Amy and her team of neon pink-vested volunteers did a terrific job of hosting this event. It was an honour to participate. Yes, Amy and I exchanged contact information. I suggested that she check out www.brightrun.ca and consider a trip north in September!
“I’m walking on sunshine, wooah, and don’t it feel good!”
