1 in 8 women in Canada are expected to face a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.
Because of the funds raised through the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure and decades of progress, breast cancer survival rates continue to rise. But there’s still more to be done. Every year, people across Canada come together on Run Day to show up for those affected by breast cancer.
CIBC employee, Sonia Boucher, shares her CIBC Run for the Cure fundraising story and her personal connection to the cancer cause.
Sonia's Run for the Cure
Sonia Boucher has been involved in the CIBC Run for the Cure for nearly 25 years. She’s participated as a runner, a walker and has been a Run champion for several years.
In the beginning, she got involved with Team CIBC to become part of something bigger. She enjoyed the atmosphere and sense of community, and the cause became very important to her through the years.
A friend introduced Sonia to running, but the Run inspired her to train for her first 5K. She ran her first race in 2013.
“If it hadn’t been for this cause, I would never have done it,” Sonia says. “This cause truly means a lot to me.”
Sonia has helped raise funds beyond Run Day, helping organize a Run for Life gala in 2022 and other community initiatives to support the cancer cause.
A personal experience with cancer
In August 2025, Sonia’s connection to the cancer cause became deeply personal. A routine mammogram and follow-up testing revealed that she had breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ. Fortunately, the cancer was caught at stage 0 and was not invasive. She had surgery the next month, followed by radiotherapy treatments to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
“I was well taken care of quickly, and that made all the difference,” Sonia says. “I am doing well and it is now behind me.”
Sonia’s own experience with cancer brought more meaning to her involvement with fundraising for cancer research.
I sincerely believe that advances in breast cancer research now make it possible to detect and treat it much more quickly.
Help support people affected by breast cancer
With 1 in 8 women in Canada expected to face a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, we run to fund the next research breakthrough.
Last year, 60,000 people in Canada ran, walked and fundraised to support research and care. Today, the funds raised are powering the most promising breast cancer research in institutions across the country.
Join your community for the 35th annual Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday, October 4 to power life-changing breast cancer research and support.
Join people like Sonia for Run Day on October 4.
Help create a future without cancer
With support from readers like you, we can continue to make a meaningful impact for people affected by cancer.
We are determined to increase survival, stop cancer before it starts, and improve lives. But we can’t do it without you.
If everyone reading this gave just $5, we could achieve our goal this month to fund the most promising research, compassionate support and transformative advocacy. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.