The two were avid readers who realized the great support their fellow west Toronto book club members gave them throughout their cancer treatment and decided book lovers could help them raise funds for cancer research.
A committee of four was formed with two other book club members whose family members were affected by cancer, and the foursome developed the vision of Read for the Cure, which was to bring together great authors with readers for a wonderful fundraising event that benefits cancer research. The corporate sponsor, Random House of Canada, has helped the event expand into Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary and, since the first event in 2007, $500,000 has been donated to cancer research because of Read for the Cure.
This year, Calgary’s event will be on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at the Red & White Club, where attendees will be able to share an intimate evening with Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild; Terry Fallis, author of Up and Down; Chris Turner, author of The Leap; and Dr. Hans Vogel, Alberta Cancer Foundation-funded senior researcher and professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary, who will speak on his discovery about environmental links to cancer.
Tickets, $90 each, can be purchased at Ticketweb.ca or by calling 1-888-222-6608.
The ticket price includes copies of each featured book, a wine bar, appetizers and raffle prizes. Read for the Cure’s MC Sharon Edwards says attendees should get ready to be inspired. “Join us for an evening of good books and good company for a great cause.” For more information visit readforthecure.ca.
