Celebrate Father’s Day by going for a run
by Joy Syratt

Prostate cancer is the highest cancer threat to men in Canada. One in every six Canadian men will be affected by prostate cancer.

A seemingly small number, but consider your group of friends. If you have 100 male friends, 16 of them will possibly develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. If you have 15 male family members like uncles, cousins, or in-laws, two of them may be affected by the disease.

Because of these staggering statistics, Prostate Cancer Canada created the annual Safeway Father’s Day Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer. Funds raised support cutting edge research into the causes, detection, prevention and treatment of the disease.

On the morning of June 20, family members, co-workers, neighbors and friends will gather at Eau Claire Market in Calgary and Laurier Park in Edmonton. Their mission is to tie up their running shoes and walk or run five kilometres to support their fathers and grandfathers.

Canada Safeway is the title sponsor of the event. Safeway stores create teams and show up wearing anything from boxers to blue wigs. The Canada Safeway Foundation also pledges $100,000 each year.

"We want to demonstrate the terrific spirit of Safeway employees and our company’s collective commitment to ending prostate cancer," said Chuck Mulvenna, Chief Operating Officer of Canada Safeway Limited. Mulvenna has been training and plans to run the entire five kilometres with family this year.

The Safeway Father’s Day Walk/Run takes place across Western Canada, including Victoria, Vancouver, Kamloops, Edmonton, Calgary and Regina. More information can be found at www.fathersdayrun.ca.