Annual Sudbury luncheon raises funds for breast cancer research

The 26th Luncheon of Hope was held at Sudbury’s Caruso Club on Tuesday.

Run by the Northern Cancer Foundation, the annual event draws hundreds from across the community to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.

"We are so very excited to invite all of our community members here who really have a connection to breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, breast cancer research, and just celebrating everyone who is involved with the event," said Jennifer Ashcroft, senior director of major gifts for the Health Sciences North Foundation.

Ashcroft’s mother-in-law started the event more than two decades ago.

"I really, heard through the years, through the inception of it, through her and her friends on the importance on why they align themselves to the importance of breast cancer and raising money for breast cancer," she said.

"A number of like-minded women wanted to really give back to the community and breast cancer was so important to them at that stage."

Keynote speaker Kim MacDonald received a standing ovation at the end of her speech. The weather presenter spoke of her breast cancer diagnosis in 2016 and the decision to share her journey publicly.

"Many people don't talk about it," MacDonald said.

The 26th Luncheon of Hope was held at Sudbury’s Caruso Club on Tuesday. Run by the Northern Cancer Foundation, the annual event draws hundreds from across the community to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News)

"I found that by sharing my story, so many good things started to happen to me. I brought in community. I was lifted up during my illness and at the same time I was giving back in a way that I never expected. So for me, it's important to share your story because not only are you helping yourself, but you are helping other people, too."

MacDonald, who has worked at the Weather Network for three decades, said sharing your story can mean saving someone’s life.

"The difference between Stage 0 and Stage 4 is timing. So, Stage 0 -- 99 per cent survival rate. Stage 4 -- 31 per cent survival rate," she said.

"But if people don't listen to stories, if they don't hear about it, they're less likely to go get a mammogram, or they're less likely to be aware of the changes in their body."

Early detection is key

Dr. Abhenil Mittal is a medical oncologist at the Shirley and Jim Fielding Cancer Center at Health Sciences North and is also an assistant professor in the Division of Clinical Sciences at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

"Cancer treatments have, for the most part, changed for the better over the past many decades," Mittal said.

He said breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women around the world. Additionally, he said one in eight Canadian women will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.

Mittal said advancements in technology and medicine have led to positive outcomes in breast cancer diagnoses.

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"More than 80 per cent of women will be diagnosed at an early stage -- that is Stage 1 or Stage 2 and more than 90 per cent of them would survive beyond five years, which is good," he said.

"And a lot of that advancement is related to take up for primary prevention, advancement in surgical techniques, better radiation and better drugs."

The luncheon raised $60,000 last year and has raised a total of $1.1 million since its inception.

"The dollars raised here today stay here in our community," Ashcroft said.

"I think that is reassurance for everyone involved. The money supports, awareness programs, patient care programs, breast cancer research, all important, very important initiatives for our community."