There are runs ... and then there's the ULTIMATE Run!The Alterna Ultimate Run for Men’s Cancers has become one of Ottawa’s favourite Father’s Day traditions, breaking all records in 2011 raising more than $580,000 with 2,222 participants!

The HUGE success of last year's event inspired us to make some changes this year, starting with a brand new name.  But don't worry - everything you love about the event is staying the same: the route is unchanged, the Run still supports men's cancers, and it's still taking place on Father's Day (June 17, 2012). 

Sunday, June 17, 2012 Carleton University - Anniversary Park
Registration opens at 6:30 a.m.

By taking part in the Alterna Ultimate Run for Men's Cancers, you are helping to increase cancer awareness in our community.  Together we are raising important funds that will bring state-of-the-art equipment, research and therapy to our region to help local cancer patients have access to the best possible care close to home.

Register today to be a part of this life-saving event and this Father's Day, run for ALL the men in your life!

Saturday, April 21 was certainly a day to remember. It was the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation's Bust a Move for Breast Health held at the Ottawa Athletic Club on Lancaster. The atmosphere was electric and the buzz was palpable. Every signal person who participated had raised at least $1000 -- a sign of their commitment and dedication to the cause.


And those fundraising efforts really paid off with over $340,000 raised for cancer care in our community.

Having Richard Simmons lead a one hour session was awesome. 

High five to all Bust a Move participants, supporters, sponsors, family and friends.

This town sure knows how to BUST A MOVE.

You can now sign up for Bust A Move 2013.

FIND RICHARD

The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is thrilled to announce Richard Simmons as the celebrity spokesperson for Bust A Move for Breast Health, a fun-filled fundraiser in support of breast health, at the Ottawa Athletic Club on April 21, 2012.

In conjunction with this exciting announcement we’re launching the “FIND RICHARD” contest.
Here is how to enter: 
1. Find one of the two life size cut outs of Richard Simmons across Ottawa
2. Take a picture of yourself in the photo
3. Upload that photo to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation Facebook Page
4. You can enter as many times as you want! Richard’s locations will change every week
5. Follow @OttawaCancer for hints and our Facebook page to uncover Richard’s new hiding spots

The winner will be announced the week of Bust a Move Ottawa.
Contest Starts: March 12, 2012 @ 10:00 am (EDT)
Contest Ends: April 18, 2012 @ 11:59 pm (EDT)

Check out this link more more information.

Richard Simmons to participate in Bust a Move Ottawa

The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is so excited about the star power coming to BAM Ottawa. The announcement was made at our sponsor's mall the St Laurent Centre during a pep rally a little after lunch on Friday, March 9, 2012.  Fitness guru Richard Simmons has lent his star power to Bust a Move events across the country and the Cancer Foundation is thrilled he will be on hand April 21 to pump up the energy of this wildly energetic and empowering event.

There are over 150 people signed up for this unique fitness event. The indoor tennis courts at our location sponsor The Ottawa Athletic Club will be transformed into a giant stage where different fitness activities will take place during the course of the day. There is still time to start a team, join a team or donate to this great cause. Money raised is going to help fund projects that will benefit breast cancer patients and their families in our region through the expansion of the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre and cancer coaching programs at the Maplesoft Centre.

Leading up to the event there is a great contest called Find Richard involving a larger-than-life cut out of Richard. Details to follow soon.  

This is going to be a great event. Thanks Richard for coming on board.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

As many as 3,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer every year. This cancer, which most commonly affects the lining of the lungs, grows rapidly and aggressively, and is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos.

Until the 1970s, asbestos use was unregulated, and thousands of products contained asbestos fibers. While the most common asbestos-containing materials were construction products such as insulation and adhesives, even household items such as talcum powder were found to contain asbestos. 

Industrial jobsites may have been among the most heavily contaminated areas, but homes, military vessels and even large geographical areas have also been contaminated by asbestos. When asbestos-containing products are broken, damaged or disturbed, the fibers enter the air, where they are easily inhaled or ingested. They can then become lodged in the pleura that surrounds the lungs, stomach or heart.

Since the first conclusive link between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure was developed in 1964, studies have worked to prove exactly how the fibers cause the cancer once they have entered the body. After asbestos has been inhaled, the thin fibers can easily become trapped in the lining of the lungs, causing small biological and genetic changes that eventually result in the development of cancer. 

Some scientists believe that asbestos exposure causes cells to change their natural function and become cancerous, while other studies suggest that asbestos-triggered DNA damage leads to cancerous mutations. These cancerous changes are most common in people who have inhaled large quantities of asbestos over a prolonged period of time, but even short periods of exposure have the potential to cause mesothelioma. 

Shipbuilders, construction workers, plant/factory workers and auto mechanics are among those who are most at risk for asbestos exposure and related diseases. However, some cases of mesothelioma have been diagnosed in people who were exposed to asbestos from a secondhand source, such as through the skin or clothing of a family member who worked with asbestos.

It's time to Bust a Move

Many of us get onto the fitness band wagon at the start of the new year, and many of us fall off only a few days or weeks after getting on. Often what is helpful is a little motivation. The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation has just the thing.

On April 21, the Cancer Foundation is holding Bust A Move for breast health. It's a 6 hour fitness extravaganza that is high energy and over the top on the fun factor. You just need to check out this YouTube video for proof.

Bust a Move is raising money for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation -- money that stays here in our community to support cancer research, clinical trials, new therapies, and an improved quality of life. And really that is what fitness is all about. The bottom line about why we get and stay fit is to improve our quality of life. And you have the opportunity to support that attitude within this fantastic event.

Get a team in, start raising funds and make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Click here to find out more.

In memory of Melody Matte

Melody Matte was a young, beautiful and vibrant woman who was taken, far too quickly and with little warning, from her friends and family after a brave fight against an aggressive lung cancer. 

When someone like Melody dies, the living are left with all sorts of questions and struggle to make sense of such a great loss. It forces you to stop and reflect and make decisions that are going to make a difference.

That’s why Melody’s family and friends established a Tribute Fund, The Melody Matte Memorial Fund, with the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. The Fund honours Melody’s memory and the gifts made to the fund will go to support families facing cancer in the Ottawa area ­­-- a fitting tribute to Melody and what she stood for.

Throughout her life, Melody was an example to others of how we might live. She was as exquisite a person inside as out. In her illness, Melody’s friends returned the support she had offered so freely to them throughout her life, and she passed away knowing she was adored and appreciated by those whose lives she brightened. Her tribute fund is an ideal way to remember Melody for who she was and to ensure her legacy lives on and helps others.

Tribute funds are a powerful means to honour someone going through treatment or to remember someone who has lost their battle with cancer. Families can establish a fund and direct donations to an area that is important to the family, whether that is Cancer Survivorship Care programs, research or diagnostic equipment. Donations are dispersed immediately to ensure programs that need support receive the required funding.

To support The Melody Matte Memorial Fund please visit the web page at http://ottawacancer.akaraisin.com/melody

To learn more about creating your own Tribute fund, please contact Rachael Wilson, Director, Annual and Legacy Giving (rwilson@ottawacancer.ca).