Hey everyone!
Besides participating in the Relay for life this past weekend, I also has the pleasure of being a volunteer at the Canadian Cancer Society's Underwear Affair for cancers "below the belt".
My job as a volunteer consisted of answering questions as well as leading the participants on their 5km walk. Although the forecast predicted rain all afternoon on the sixth of June , not one drop of rain fell on our heads as we trecked along paths of downtown Calgary. Participation in the Underwear Affair helps lift the taboo connected with cancers below the waist. Why are these cancers considered “taboo”? These cancers affect areas of the body that may be uncomfortable to talk about and that are often seen as embarrassing or shameful. Some people may not even want to see a physician to get screened for these types of cancers. This makes care and treatment an unexplored option to some of those who need it. Shedding light on these cancers means more awareness and more funding, making research and treatment a reality. Proceeds from the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s Underwear Affair support Alberta Cancer Board research and patient These cancers account for 33% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Alberta each year. The Alberta Cancer Board is a model for cancer care and control around the world and is leading the way in uncovering cures and putting prostate, colorectal, ovarian, cervical and other cancers below the waist, behind us. The Underwear Affair is helping to shed some light on these often hidden and under-funded cancers. Please visit http://www.uncoverthecure.org/index.html for more information. I had ALOT of fun being a volunteer for the Underwear Affair and look forward to participating in the one next year. Not only do you raise money for a very important cause but it is also a very fun and exciting event. You get to dress up in basically anything you want as well as groove to some awesome music at the afterparty, which begins when the first runner crosses the finish line! There are prizes for the best costumes and awards for the fastest runners. I would highly reccomend finding the Undearwear Affair nearest to you. You won't regret it! Below are some pictures from the event:
As you can see from the picture to the left, the costumes were pretty awesome! The chilly weather didn't stop Calgarians from coming out and supporting an important cause. Here is a little information about the event:
programs at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary and 15 other cancer
centres throughout the province.
That's all for now!
Cheers,
Taylor Stronski, Miss Teen Claresholm-World
