More than 200 volunteers make sure the annual Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure goes off without a hitch, and this year will be no different, says volunteer coordinator Natasha Clooney.
Clooney and Catherine Potter also donate their time to the run, helping fill the 200 volunteer positions available both on run day and in the days leading up to the event.
“It’s a good way to get involved in the community,” said Clooney. “It’s a great cause and there are so many different levels of involvement.”
Volunteers are needed in a variety of roles on run day, from route or parking marshals, to registration volunteers, to breast health trivia squad ambassadors or onsite first aid attendants.
On run day thousands of participants gather at the University of Victoria to show their support for breast cancer awareness and to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Last year, 3,968 participants in the Victoria run site raised more than $562,000.
“For high school students it’s a great way to get volunteer hours they need for graduation,” said Clooney.
Currently, only 70 volunteer positions have been filled, leaving Clooney and Potter on the lookout for people willing to share their time and skills.
“With over 200 volunteer positions available and only 70 filled, we have a long way to go,” said Clooney.
The majority of the positions are on run day, Oct. 6, from 6 a.m. to around noon, but there are some needed for events prior to run day and for set up as well. The average length of a shift on run day is four hours. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old; however younger volunteers are permitted in the company of a parent or guardian.
There are a variety of positions available to suit everyone’s interests and availability. Sign up and view the positions online at runforthecure.com.
Questions can be directed to Natasha Clooney or Catherine Potter at 250-704-2873 or vol_victoria@cbcfrun.org.