Participants make their way across Finlayson Island during the annual CIBC Run for the Cure in Battleford on Oct. 5, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

CANCER AWARENESS

‘Humbling and heartfelt’: Survivors and community unite for annual Battlefords’ CIBC Run for the Cure

Oct 6, 2025 | 9:52 AM

When Bernadette Leslie first felt a lump in her breast back in 2012, she trusted her instincts. It turned out to be cancer — but she caught it early.

“I didn’t have to do any chemo or radiation,” she said. “I was fortunate enough because I was a strong believer in self breast examination, and that’s how I found the lump.”

Now cancer-free, Leslie joined her son, Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie, who is also a cancer survivor, along with about 100 local participants on Finlayson Island on Oct. 5 for the annual CIBC Run for the Cure — a national event presented in partnership between CIBC and the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) to raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness.

“It means a lot, because with myself being a recipient of breast cancer, the more we learn about it and find what causes it, the more we can stop it,” she said.

Participants make their way across Finlayson Island during the annual CIBC Run for the Cure in Battleford on Oct. 5, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

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For Mayor Leslie, the event was both personal and symbolic.

“It’s humbling and heartfelt,” he said. “Everybody here has probably had a family member or loved one who’s going through it, or had gone through it.”

He remembers his own diagnosis — testicular cancer — and how quickly he was able to get care. After surgery and chemotherapy, he was able to receive treatment close to home at the COPS Clinic (Community Oncology Program of Saskatchewan) at Battlefords Union Hospital.

“I don’t think I would be here as healthy as I am today if it wasn’t for that investment by our province and the Cancer Society,” he said.

Seeing the community gather for the cause reminded him how far things have come.

“Cancer is a somber thing,” he said.

“But everybody here is smiling and joking and enjoying the company… They’re all neighbors and lot of them don’t know each other, but the banter and the conversation that’s being had around this event is bringing the community even closer together… It just makes me proud to see this.”

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Small town, national movement

While the Run for the Cure takes place in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, the Battlefords is the only small community in western Canada to host its own version.

“It’s pretty special when you consider that this run happens in big cities all across the country, but here we have it at home,” said Jeremy Cockrill, MLA for the Battlefords and Saskatchewan’s minister of health.

He credited local volunteers for “taking a big step” to make the event possible.

“I think the important part is really the fact that it allows people that have walked through cancer journeys to come together and help support each other, and raise some money.”

Participants make their way across Finlayson Island during the annual CIBC Run for the Cure in Battleford on Oct. 5, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

From left to right: Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie, Robin Speer, Jeremy Cockrill, and Bernadette Leslie walk together during the annual CIBC Run for the Cure on Finlayson Island in Battleford on Oct. 5, 2025. (Ames is wearing a purple jersey, Speer a purple cap, Cockrill a black vest, and Bernadette a burgundy red jacket.)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

The idea began with Robin Speer, a Battlefords resident who sits on the national board of the CCS. After attending the Saskatoon run in 2022, he thought the island’s leafy trails would make an inspiring local venue.

“We got together with the local CIBC, Ames Leslie… and we decided, let’s create an event in the Battlefords,” Speer said.

Now in its third year, the Battlefords walk has raised more than $20,000. Across Canada, the run has raised over $500 million in 34 years. In that same period, Speer said, the breast cancer death rate in the country has been cut in half.

Every dollar raised “really does change care and improve lives,” he said. The CCS funds prevention, screening and treatment research, along with advocacy and patient support.

“We funded more than 400 research projects last year,” he explained. “More than 3,000 people with cancer were able to take part in CCS-supported clinical trials.”

Those studies are reshaping care, he added.

“For seven in 10 women diagnosed with a common type of early-stage breast cancer, hormone therapy alone was just as effective as hormone therapy with chemotherapy in preventing the cancer from coming back,” he said.

“We demonstrated that MRI is more effective than mammograms or ultrasounds alone in detecting breast cancer in people at high risk, which contributes to the addition of MRI as part of the standard screening practices for these individuals.”

The society also delivers practical support — breast prostheses for more than 1,300 patients last year, peer connections and advocacy for healthier public policies.

Breast cancer survivor Kerilee Tady takes part in the annual CIBC Run for the Cure on Finlayson Island in Battleford on Oct. 5, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Among those walking was Kerilee Tady, a breast cancer survivor, who knows firsthand what local treatment can mean.

“They know your name, they welcome you, they’re good to you,” she said of the local COPS Clinic.

“After you’re done, you might not feel like driving home from Saskatoon. It’s just really nice that it’s right there.”

Tady still takes daily medication and checks in with her family doctor, but has been released from the cancer clinic in Saskatoon, where she was also treated.

“So it’s been positive for me so far, which doesn’t always happen. But yeah, I’m just gonna keep my chin up and keep going forward.”

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Robin Speer and Ashlee Babbiy pause for a photo during the annual CIBC Run for the Cure on Finlayson Island in Battleford on Oct. 5, 2025. Speer serves on the national board of the Canadian Cancer Society, while Babbiy is the banking-centre leader for CIBC North Battleford. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Ashlee Babbiy, banking-centre leader for CIBC North Battleford, helps coordinate the local event each year.

“There’s so many people affected by breast cancer… lots in our community,” she said.

“It’s nice to be able to come together to celebrate survivors, remember those who have passed, raise awareness, raise funds, and just get together for a good walk in the fresh air.”

Two of her own CIBC colleagues are survivors. “So, we walked today to support them and really come together as a team as well,” she added.

With every step taken, participants were reminded of the courage cancer patients must have to face their battles and the power of community in helping them win.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com