Run For The Ribbon Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research at the MUHC

A huge bravo to brothers Benjamin and Samuel Bensimon who spearheaded the 10 km charity Run for The Ribbon fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 30 in affiliation with the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). The event was dedicated to raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research and patient care. They more than doubled their original goal of $10,000 to $21,000 and counting thanks in part to donations like $4,200 from the CURE Foundation. Benjamin is a third year medical student at McGill University and he wants to become a plastic surgeon. Samuel works in finance so he handled all the numbers associated with the event. I met so many interesting people at the starting line, including Dr. Gabriel Kuper. He is a plastic surgery resident who came here from Toronto and was a high school dropout. His Instagram following is at a highly imopressive 88,700. Then there was Joy Rodgers, a nurse who was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago. She shared her emotional story, including 16 chemotherapy sessions. Upon discovering that she was a carrier of the BRCA gene mutation, requiring a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy. "While there bumps in the road, my family celebrated each anniversary," she said. "I became a breast cancer advocate." Angela Lucia, the manager of community events at the MUHC Foundation, was elated with the Bensimon's initiatives. "When they came to me with the idea I was nervous, but I knew they could do it," she said. "They have pulled the whole community together."