CONSTANCE BAY – If there’s anything that deserves a kick in the butt, it’s cancer.

The Third Annual Kicking Breast Cancer in the Butt fundraiser takes place Sunday, Oct. 6 at the NorthWind Wireless Fibre Centre, kicking off with registration starting at 10 a.m. It is the third year for the fundraiser organized and hosted by Sparks Taekwon Do – which has 25 years experience offering martial art instruction out of the Constance Bay community centre.

Last year the event raised an incredible $32,000.

Sparks’ student and event organizer Pennylyn Woodruff spoke to West Carleton Online about the fundraiser yesterday (Oct. 1).

“Cancer research is very close to our hearts,” Woodruff said. “I’m still fighting. I’m fighting for my two aunts who lost the battle to cancer, I’m fighting for my friends who lost her life last year. We’re not giving up the fight.”

The event is famous for its pink Taekwon Do belts the student wear with their dobok (uniform) during the event that are also given out as part of the registration fee. There are three distances participants can take during the walk/run event – a 2.5-kilometre, 5-km or 10-km course. There is a barbecue organized by the Constance Bay volunteer firefighters with hot dogs and hamburgers provided by A&A Elevator, pizza from the Lighthouse and Happy Times and Shawarmas from the House of Shawarma.

“We have all the food, we just need the people,” Woodruff said.

Live music will be provided by Run a Groove. There will also be basket raffles and a silent auction.

The cost to participate is $25 and comes with a commemorative pink Taekwon Do belt. Adults who raise more than $100 don’t pay the registration fee ($60 for kids). The event also celebrates 25 years of Sparks Taekwon Do in Constance Bay.

Woodruff says Mayor Jim Watson and Coun. Eli El-Chantiry will be a part of the opening ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m.

The event has raised almost $50,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society over its first two years.

“There’s been a lot of community involvement and that’s why we have been able to do so well,” Woodruff said.

For more information on Kicking Breast Cancer in the Butt, click here.