Nearly $2M raised in support of fighting cancer: Challenge for Life

Nearly $2 million was raised to help fight cancer in Manitoba over the weekend.

Hundreds of Manitobans gathered at Assiniboine Park Saturday morning in support of fighting cancer.

Challenge for Life, a fundraising event with proceeds going to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, allowed participants to commit to a personal fitness goal by choosing either a 20-kilometre walk, 5-kilometre walk, a 200-minute workout or a virtual activity.

Isabella Consiglio, a 25-year-old cancer survivor, was one of the approximately 1,150 participants that signed up for this year’s event.

“It’s very empowering to be on this side of things and just knowing that it’s making such a big difference in, not only like my life, because I’m a survivor, but other people’s lives, and continuing that,” said Consiglio.

Consiglio said she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 17-years-old, causing a disruption to her senior year of high school and a passion for competitive dance.

Following almost two-and-a-half years of treatment, Consiglio said she’s been cancer-free ever since.

“It’s just really important to continue supporting these causes,” she said.

“Everybody’s affected by cancer … if you’re a survivor, a fighter, you just know someone — everybody’s affected by it.”

Patti Smith, president and CEO of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, said that more than 7,500 donors resulted in nearly $1.8 million being raised during the 18th annual event.

“It’s a real community that results in the incredible success of a day like this,” said Smith.

“This community is one like no other I know, and a day like this is possible because of the investment of so many.”

Members from CTV News assisted in setting up a pit stop at Munson Park, where water stations and food was available to participants.

Since 2008, Challenge for Life has raised more than $18.2 million to change lives, including $1.6 million being raised last year.

“It sucks to be part of it, but it’s an amazing community, and they make such a big difference,” said Consiglio.

-With files from CTV’s Daniel Timmerman