Friends, family and supporters got together to collect 722,000 with more pouring in. Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for Cure has raised the amount. Last year's run raised $240,000.

Thousands of supporters marched like soldiers with Pat Schram -- a.k.a. Grandma -- in her battle against breast cancer.

"Without my husband and my children I couldn't have done this," said an emotional Schram, 70, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007. She participated in the CIBC Run for the Cure for breast cancer along Windsor's waterfront along with 3,200 others.

“I had a good friend who had undiagnosed breast cancer, that spread, turned into bone cancer,” said Sharon Monkhouse said. “Today, I’m thinking of her.”

Another breast cancer survivor, Jackie Savi-Cannon has been participating in the run since 1992, before her own diagnosis in 2006.

"When you hear those words, your whole world changes," said Savi-Cannon.

"It's like a nuclear bomb just went off in every cell in your body. The first thing that hits you is fear. The fear of what's next, what's going to happen to me, my family, my children, all that downward spiral of emotions."
Approximately 5,600 people took part in the event this year. Money raised will go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for research projects. It will also be used to fund education and prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment support programs.