Ford of Canada urges women of all ages to take charge in the battle against breast cancer

Twenty-eight-year-old breast cancer survivor on a cross-Canada awareness
tour says breast cancer has no age limit

OAKVILLE, ON, Aug. 18 /CNW/ - Women of all ages should know how to take
care of their breast health starting with regular self-examinations -- that's
the message driving a national series of "Awareness Breakfasts" hosted by
Ford of Canada President and CEO Bobbie Gaunt in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the CIBC Run for the Cure. Feather Janz, the guest speaker at the Awareness Breakfasts, was only 20 years old when she found the first lump in her breast. For three years she was told not to worry, that she was too young, too healthy, too low-risk to have breast cancer. At the age of 23, Janz had to have a mastectomy. Her message to women is to set aside the fear and take charge -- early detection of breast cancer greatly increases the chances of survival.
"We hope that meeting Feather will inspire women to join the battle
against breast cancer on several fronts -- first, by becoming an advocate
for their own health and second, by supporting the research efforts of the
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through participation in this year's CIBC
Run for the Cure," Gaunt said. For the past four years, Ford of Canada has been a national sponsor of the CIBC Run for the Cure. Last year, more than 4,000 employees from Ford of Canada's offices, dealerships and suppliers participated on Run day in 26 cities across Canada. The Run raised a record $6.7 million for breast cancer research in 1999. Money spent on treatment, research and educational initiatives is saving lives. While the incidence of breast cancer has risen nearly two per cent every year since the mid-1980's, mortality rates have steadily declined due to earlier detection and better treatment. Still, one in nine women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer and one in 25 will die from this devastating disease.
"The impact of breast cancer is not only felt by the woman herself, or
even just by her family -- in your community or at your workplace chances
are you have come face-to-face with someone who has breast cancer. It affects every one of us," Gaunt said. "We are making a difference but we need to find a cure. I urge everyone to support their local CIBC Run for the Cure on
October 1. I know I'll be there." 
Awareness Breakfasts will be held between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at Sheraton Hotels in six cities leading up to Run day on October 1. Anyone interested in attending a breakfast can register through www.ford.ca. The event schedule is as follows:

- August 22 - Toronto - September 15 - Halifax
- August 24 - Winnipeg - September 21 - Vancouver
- August 25 - Calgary - September 29 - Montreal

Ford of Canada's dealerships are also raising funds in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through the "Vehicle of Hope" program. Everyone is encouraged to visit their local participating dealership, make a donation, receive a pink ribbon magnet, write a message of hope or remembrance
on the magnet and place it on the Vehicle of Hope. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is a registered charitable organization dedicated exclusively to the support and advancement of breast cancer research, education, diagnosis and treatment. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has raised more than $14 million. The CIBC Run for the Cure is the Foundation's primary source for donations. Ford of Canada is Canada's longest-established automobile company with three vehicle assembly plants, five manufacturing plants and 565 dealerships located in all provinces. Ford's Canadian operations employ approximately 16,000 people and an additional 22,400 are employed in dealerships.