We’re not yet out of 2021, but BRIGHT Run already has two confirmed community partners for 2022!
The Charles and Florence Martin Foundation, a long-time BRIGHT Run partner, will join us again for our 15th anniversary event as a silver partner, providing financial support that ensures that all funds raised by our participants go directly to local breast cancer research.
And we welcome a new partner, Big Smoke Burger Brantford owned by breast cancer survivor Khalilah Elliot and her husband Jason, a trained chef.
Khalilah and Jason, along with their children Jasmin and Kalan, have been part of the BRIGHT Run family since 2017, when Khalilah first learned of the event from her medical oncologist, Dr. Bindi Dhesy. That came after she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in December 2016.
“It was one of the scariest times of my life,” Khalilah said of her diagnosis. “It felt unreal at first. The doctor gave us the news and everything became a haze instantly.”
In barely a week, Khalilah, 39 at the time, was starting chemotherapy. Her treatment was rigorous: eight rounds of high-dose chemo, a double mastectomy, 21 rounds of radiation, 18 rounds of Herceptin and a blood transfusion – all in the space of 14 months.
The impact of Khalilah’s cancer on the family was difficult.
“We went to a one-income household with a new home and mortgage,” she said. “The children were 11 and 5 at the time and we had just moved to Binbrook two months before, so we didn’t know anyone.
“I want to say a big thanks to my husband Jason! He was my rock. He’s a great example of a godly husband and he lives out his vows every single day,” she said. My daughter Jasmin rose beyond my expectations. She is my heart. My son Kalan kept my spirits up every day with his hugs and telling me how much he loves me. He is my heart.”
The couple opened Big Smoke Burger – a terrific restaurant, by the way – in December 2019, just two months before COVID-19 hit, which has been a huge challenge for the new business. The Brantford community came through for them and “we didn’t close our doors and we didn’t have to lay off any of our staff. The Brantford community and the grace of God is keeping us going.”
Big Smoke has donated to BRIGHT Run in the past, but this year, the couple decided to become a community partner.
“We believe that we can make a greater impact and raise more awareness and funds by being a community partner,” Khalilah said. “We want to tell our community about the amazing organization of the BRIGHT Run and the wonderful work that you have done over the years and continue to do.”
The BRIGHT Run holds a special place in Khalilah’s heart:
The heart, passion, dedication and commitment to breast cancer survivors, thrivers and warriors is humbling and heart-warming. The dedication towards funding research to continue improving treatment for breast cancer speaks to me. Having experienced first-hand the amazing work from the cancer team and the Juravinski Cancer Centre, I must do my part to ensure that advancements are made every single day and more women and men get the best treatment available.
