On Mother’s Day, nearly 1000 participants ran in Whitehorse, Yukon. Before the run, there was a bhangra warm-up session by Gurdeep Pandher. Since 1997, Run-for-Mom is organized every year on Mother’s Day to support the best breast health for Yukoners by raising funds to purchase advanced medical equipment and creating awareness of the importance of breast health. In the past, the run made a significant contribution toward the purchase of a digital mammography unit at Whitehorse General Hospital.

The machine (installed in 2009) increased comfort by putting less pressure on the breast and improved safety by using less radiation. The advanced technology also provided clearer images that could be sent electronically to Radiologists in Calgary for rapid interpretation – resulting in quicker diagnosis. In a few short weeks after the unit was operational, the number of women receiving mammograms each day nearly doubled.