This FatherB次元官网网址檚 Day you can do something for dad that could last a lifetime.

The annual Raymond James FatherB次元官网网址檚 Day Walk and Run for Prostate Cancer goes Sunday from the Vancouver Island Tech Park at 4464 Markham St., near Layritz Park.

B次元官网网址淭he tagline weB次元官网网址檙e using for the FatherB次元官网网址檚 Day event is: We know you canB次元官网网址檛 run from prostate cancer so weB次元官网网址檙e running for it, so run with us,B次元官网网址� said Leanne Kopp, executive director of the Island Prostate Centre.

The walk is the Island Prostate CentreB次元官网网址檚 signature fundraising event for the year, and the support of sponsor Raymond James means that 100 per cent of the funds raised go to support programs in the community. Those programs cover a range of areas from nurse support and support groups to exercise and nutrition.

B次元官网网址淭his is why this event is really important because without fundraising events like this the hundreds of men who we help on an annual basis wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have access to the programs that we offer,B次元官网网址� said Kopp. B次元官网网址淎nd all of these programs are free and open to any man who has been impacted by a recent diagnosis of prostate cancer or are in the recovery stage.B次元官网网址�

Aside from the money raised for programs (last yearB次元官网网址檚 event in Victoria raked in $54,000), the event also serves as a public reminder on the importance of men being screened for prostate cancer.

B次元官网网址淧rostate cancer is still one of these taboo subjects that a lot of people donB次元官网网址檛 want to talk about,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭his is not something that is shameful to talk about. We need to address this situation, men need to be tested on an annual basis for this disease. Through events like this, it really helps expand the network and our reach to be able to talk about this.B次元官网网址�

The centre is also involved with the B次元官网网址� scheduled for Sept. 9 this year B次元官网网址� which provides free PSA testing.

B次元官网网址淭he PSA test is the screening test for prostate cancer but itB次元官网网址檚 not provincially funded. Last year we tested over 500 men and we caught 35 men with an elevated PSA level.B次元官网网址�

Kopp relays the story of one man who came to the PSA testing day last year after not having a test for three years, discovering that his PSA level was through the roof.

B次元官网网址淲hen his neurologist saw him, he said B次元官网网址業f you hadnB次元官网网址檛 had this test, in a year from now you wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be around to be talking about it.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Those interested in taking part in the FatherB次元官网网址檚 Day walk and run can register on the website . On the day of the event, registration starts at 8 a.m. with the walk and run beginning at 10 a.m. The registration fee is $35 unless you collect a minimum of $150 in donations. Children under 12 are free.