C95 sets record in radio marathon for breast cancer research

The 2023 edition of C95’s Radio Marathon for Breast Cancer Research was a record-setting one.

Generous listeners to Saskatoon’s number-one hit music station raised a record $425,937 during the annual 12-hour radio marathon, the highest total achieved since the event began in 2000,

The 2023 event came in well over the total from last year’s marathon, which added up to $369,555.

Since its inception, C95’s annual fundraiser has generated more than $6.3 million in donations breast cancer research.

The radio marathon, hosted by C95’s Shauna Foster and Rob Suski along with a number of special guests, ran from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Lawson Heights Mall.

One of those special guests was Krystle Pratt, who was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form breast cancer last year at age 36. She is currently undergoing immunotherapy infusions, and shared her story during the radio marathon.

“(The week I got the diagnosis) was the worst week of my life,” Pratt said.

“Unfortunately, I am the fourth generation of women in my family to be diagnosed. I find this incredibly worrisome for my children because all three of them have a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the pathogenic variant. Through awareness and fundraisers, I fight for their future.”

According to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in women. The foundation estimated that more than 760 women in Saskatchewan will get that diagnosis this year.

All the funds raised by the marathon will go to the cancer foundation, with 100 per cent of all the donated money staying in the province.

–With files from Mia Holowaychuk.