Just one day after accepting the YWCAs "Women of Distinction" award with her colleagues, Breast Friends member and former Weyburnite Cecile Halyk was in Weyburn to speak at a fundraising event hosted by a local group.
Halyk spoke during the Pirates of the CUREibean CIBC Run for a Cure team's "Women's Night Out," which featured dozens of vendors, silent auction items, door prizes, entertainment and nationally best selling Breast Friends cookbooks - all for a good cause.
The event raised over $13,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
During the evening, Halyk praised the work of the Pirates, admitting that the success of the Breast Friends cookbooks was directly related to "grass roots causes" like the local Run for the Cure team. She said the books can be used by any organization to help raise money for their cancer-fighting cause.
Halyk spoke to the 500-plus crowd about the journey that she and her nine friends from Foam Lake have taken since they began writing and publishing their first cookbook over six years ago. She even described being on CBCs "Dragon's Den" and the deal that they received.
She said that after being chosen at an audition in Regina, the group of "seasoned" women were invited to Toronto last May, with a medley of treats and cookbooks in tow.
"We hoped to sweeten up the Dragons a bit," said Halyk.
They were impressed, according to Halyk, but baffled that they wanted the Dragon's help at all. The group had already raised $1 million for breast cancer on their own.
The Dragon's each donated $10,000 and marketing assistance to the Breast Friends. Since the show aired and their new website was launched, sales of the cookbooks have skyrocketed, said Halyk.
She mentioned the personal impact their presentation to the Dragon's made on Saskatchewan-native Brett Wilson - the Dragon is a prostate cancer survivor.
The books, "For the Breast of Friends," "For the Breasts and the Rest of Friends," "Breast Wishes" and "Breast Wishes for Christmas," have now raised over $1.1 million. Donations from the sales of the books have been made all across the country and abroad, including funds for digital mammography and diagnostic equipment, breast assessment centres, and breast self-exam information for schools and health districts.
Currently, the Friends are sponsoring an Inspire Health Life Program, a one-day conference that aims to inspire and empower those who have been impacted by cancer. The Regina event takes place on May 13 at the RCMP Heritage Centre.
Halyk explained that when their youngest member lost her husband to melanoma cancer, the Friends decided to raise funds for all types of cancers, research and healthy lifestyles meant to prevent the disease.
She left the charitable crowd with an inspiring message. "There are 'breast friends' in every community - bosom buddies - you don't have to write a cookbook, just have a passion."
As for the Pirates, they will be participating in the CIBC Run for Cure for their second year on October 2 in Regina.
Team Captain Krissy Cleasby said she started the team two years ago when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, her mother is one of the survivors, but since then, others have joined the team in memory of a Weyburn-area woman, Erin Westling, who passed away from breast cancer in January.
Cleasby said she was amazed at the turnout to their event on the 6th and is already planning for next year.
"We're working on a bigger location for next year," said Cleasby. "It will be the same weekend."
The team has raised over $18,000 through various fundraisers over the past two years with events like "You've been Bra'd," bake sales, garage sales, raffles and donations.
She mentioned that Breast of Friends cookbooks are still available from any team member. The books are also available locally at Pharmasave and Co-op.
