New fundraising records have been set this year for “Weekend to End Breast Cancer Walk”, raising $17.2 million funds for the Princess Margaret Hospital. This 60 kilometers walk and a two day event, is the largest, single fundraiser event in Canadian history.

With over 5000 people walking on the streets in rain, on this weekend to help battle the breast cancer, Organizers were shocked and thrilled not only with the record breaking funds raised, but with large turnout and community awareness. Paul Alofs, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation stated in a press release, “We’re so grateful to the 5,382 courageous women and men walking this weekend, and to all the volunteers, Donors, and truly the entire community for their amazing support”.

After the opening ceremony, all the participants wearing pink caps left the Exhibition Palace at 7:15 a.m. They will be setting up a camp for the night at Downsview Park, after walking for 30 kilometers on Saturday. On Sunday, the participants will walk their way back to Exhibition Grounds for a closing ceremony that is to be held at Direct Energy Centre. Along the route, friends and family members are encouraged to cheer up the participants at the particular cheering stations.

Such an event has been held for the fourth year. All the raised fund will go towards Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment, research and education of breast cancer.

Southern Alberta women are posing topless in an effort to raise funds against breast cancer. There are 23 women from Calgary who have posed for Cowgirls Against Breast Cancer calendar, which was launched yesterday in Calgary. The calendar showcases all the 23 women, posing topless but not showing any breasts.

The women are believed to be from different towns of Calgary but have two things in common. Firstly, they all are involved in cattle penning and secondly that they all have been touched in one way or other because of breast cancer, said the project spokeswoman Laurel Wood. “They range in age from 30 to 70 years of age and we have everything from high executives to long-time ranchers,” said Wood, who is also Miss March.

The calendar is available at Knickers N’ Lace, K & K Livestock, the Shawnessy and Okotoks Hallmark stores, as well as Ginger Laurier and The Mill Store in Okotoks.