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Cancer survivor talks the talk, walks the walk

Last year, just three weeks removed from her last round of chemotherapy, cancer survivor Kim Rideout couldn’t make it very far in the Run for the Cure.
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Kim Rideout

Last year, just three weeks removed from her last round of chemotherapy, cancer survivor Kim Rideout couldn’t make it very far in the Run for the Cure.

But now, a year later, she was resolved to complete the five kilometres that other participants did.

Rideout spoke before the 13th annual CIBC Run for the Cure in Red Deer.

About 1,300 people and at least 85 teams took to the fields at Lindsay Thurber High School to participate in the run Sunday.

“I swore last year that I would be back here this year and I’d walk the whole five kilometers,” said Rideout.

“We’re going to do it together.”

Joined by family and friends Rideout said they were her support network and helped her get through treatment.

“No one wants to hear the words breast cancer,” said Rideout.

“But when you do, you’re forced to dig deep and find a strength you didn’t know you had before it happened.

“I will be eternally grateful for the love, support and courage I received on a daily and sometimes hourly basis.

“I am blessed to be surrounded by the most amazing support network any woman could ever want or need.”

Last year, the Run for the Cure raised about $289,000 in Red Deer.

“We’re alive because of those fundraising dollars,” said Rideout.

Run co-directors Lois Moreau and Nelda Robertson said they first heard Rideout speak at the survivor tea and wanted to bring her to the Run for the Cure to be the survivor to speak.

“She contacted us (to speak) through the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation,” said Moreau.

“She was more than happy to speak. I think she has a really great story, she’s looking to help others.”

In 2012, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation raised about $30 million from across the country for breast cancer research, education and awareness.

mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com