
Nearly $2M raised in support of fighting cancer: Challenge for Life
The Challenge for Life finish line revealed how much funds were raised as part of the annual fundraiser. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg)
Hundreds of Manitobans gathered at Assiniboine Park Saturday morning in support of fighting cancer.
Challenge for Life, a fundraising event with proceeds going to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, allowed participants to commit to a personal fitness goal by choosing either a 20-kilometre walk, 5-kilometre walk, a 200-minute workout or a virtual activity.
Isabella Consiglio, a 25-year-old cancer survivor, was one of the approximately 1,150 participants that signed up for this year's event.
'It's very empowering to be on this side of things and just knowing that it's making such a big difference in, not only like my life, because I'm a survivor, but other people's lives, and continuing that,' said Consiglio.
Team Isabella
Isabella Consiglio, who has since defeated cancer, says that it's important to continue supporting causes such as the Challenge for Life. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg)
Consiglio said she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 17-years-old, causing a disruption to her senior year of high school and a passion for competitive dance.
Following almost two-and-a-half years of treatment, Consiglio said she's been cancer-free ever since.
'It's just really important to continue supporting these causes,' she said.
'Everybody's affected by cancer … if you're a survivor, a fighter, you just know someone — everybody's affected by it.'
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Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Member of CTV News at Challenge for Life on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
A chalk message on a trail during Challenge for Life on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
A chalk message on a trail at Challenge for Life on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Member of CTV News at Challenge for Life on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
A Challenge for Life participant and their dog on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Challenge for Life
Challenge for Life participants on June 14, 2025. (Diane Kashton/CTV News Winnipeg)
Patti Smith, president and CEO of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, said that more than 7,500 donors resulted in nearly $1.8 million being raised during the 18th annual event.
'It's a real community that results in the incredible success of a day like this,' said Smith.
'This community is one like no other I know, and a day like this is possible because of the investment of so many.'
Members from CTV News assisted in setting up a pit stop at Munson Park, where water stations and food was available to participants.
Since 2008, Challenge for Life has raised more than $18.2 million to change lives, including $1.6 million being raised last year.
'It sucks to be part of it, but it's an amazing community, and they make such a big difference,' said Consiglio.
-With files from CTV's Daniel Timmerman
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Dr. Sunil Kalia, a dermatologist and associate professor at the University of British Columbia, says Canada's cosmetics rules are "comparable to other country regulations." He says sunscreens in particular are more strictly regulated in Canada, than in Europe and Asia. However, a 2024 article published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences found that the European Union has "has some of the strictest cosmetic regulations, requiring pre-market safety assessments and prohibiting certain harmful substances," drawing contrast with Canada and the U.S. "While Canada has stricter guidelines than the U.S., many products can still be sold without pre-market approval," the study authors wrote. Brandi Leifso, founder of Evio Beauty, which bills itself as a vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics brand, says sometimes Canadian guidelines don't go far enough. Leifso says her company goes to great lengths to make sure products don't unintentionally harm customers. "We send it away to third-party labs and we test on humans," said Leifso. She says all tests are overseen by dermatologists. The company also ensures its products meet global standards, including those set by the U.S. and the EU. For her part, Beach cautions that consumers should think about why they want to use certain cosmetics before applying them to skin. "Buyer be savvy," she said.