Murray Wood: Of Easter bunny bells and Juicy Fruit gum
For Murray Wood, Easter brings to mind grandma's practical advice about repurposing, and some of life's little lessons.
The people of Saskatoon stepped up once again Friday to fight breast cancer.
The 19th annual C95 Radio Marathon for Breast Cancer Research took over the Centre Mall to raise a grand total of $358,310 to fund vital research into the disease.
After an initial grand total was announced, morning hosts Shauna Foster and Rob Suski had to double back after a surprise donation of $100,000 arrived in the final seconds of the marathon.
“An anonymous donation, we don’t know the name or the information, but I just got a note (saying) that we just got $100,000,” Foster said as the total was ready to be announced.
The event has raised over $4 million dollars since the first marathon was held back in 2000.
That was the year former C95 announcer Lisa Rendall was diagnosed with widespread incurable breast cancer. Foster said even after her death, Rendall continues to be an inspirational figure in the fight against the disease.
“Had Lisa been able to live even a couple years longer, there would have been these new drugs, and these new developments that would have prolonged her life.”
Foster said the marathon is an example of how anyone, anywhere can help in the fight against the disease.
“It’s just such an amazing thing when you think about that those research dollars are being raised here and the research is being done here,” Foster said.
Every year over 700 Saskatchewan women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
As a mammography technician in Saskatoon, Kelly Lindburg sees cases on a daily basis. She said nothing prepared her when she was diagnosed in February.
“It kind of creates a new normal. I was fortunate because I got those results and I got to walk into the arms of somebody who was my friend and my co-worker.”
“In a really hard time I was surrounded by so much love and they kept that going for so long.”
Lindburg was able to win her battle and return to work in June. She considers herself fortunate to have access to the recent advances in drugs and treatments.
“My oncologist said ‘five years ago we would’ve been hitting you with chemo whether we knew it was going to benefit you or not.'”
“That’s why programs like this are so important,” Lindburg said.
To donate, head to the C95 website or call 306-374-4483.
—With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker
