The initial running of a charity walk brought together hundreds of Calgarians for a 25 km through the downtown core and neighbouring communities on Saturday morning.

Nearly 500 participants, including cancer survivors, patients and supporters, faced wet weather at the Shaw Millennium Park start line but conditions improved throughout the morning and early afternoon.

“Our participants are made of courage not sugar so they’re going to do great, rain or shine,” said Myka Osinchuk, Alberta Cancer Foundation CEO.

The OneWalk to Conquer Cancer saw individuals and teams collectively raise more than $1 million for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Each participant selected which of Alberta’s 17 cancer centres their collected donations will support.

“There aren’t many people who haven’t either had cancer themselves or know someone who has had cancer,” said Osinchuk “The fact that people can walk in the OneWalk for any type of cancer is an incredible opportunity."

Osinchuk says, on average, 43 Albertans are diagnosed with cancer every day.

Sister OneWalk events will be held later this month in Toronto and Montreal.

For more information on the event including registration for the 2017 walk, visit OneWalk