A local woman will be stripping down on June 18 to help fight for a cause that is close to her heart.
Thousands of walkers and runners will be descending on the city of Edmonton for the Underwear Affair to help lend their support in finding a cure for cancers below the belt.
The Underwear Affair is a unique fundraising drive. Participants are asked to strip down to their underwear for either the five-km walk or the 10-km run. With a sea of half-naked people walking and running through the city, it is the hope of the organizers that such a sight will help to bring awareness and dismantle the taboo of the “down there” cancers such as prostate, colorectal, ovarian, testicular, bladder, cervical and uterine.
“One of the things my mother didn’t like about it, and what is making me kind of nervous, is that you’re pretty much encouraged to strip down to your underwear. But to participate you don’t have to,” said Alayna Almost.
The event organizers are encouraging participants to wear capes or superhero costumes.
Almost heard about the Underwear Affair last year, while at the hospital for an ultrasound.
“When I saw the poster last year, I figured any kind of fundraiser would be good, and I wanted to get in shape,” said Almost.
However, the biggest reason why Almost wanted to participate in the Underwear Affair is because of her mother. When Almost was four years old, her mother was diagnosed with cancer in her inner ear. Her aunt was also diagnosed with breast cancer when Almost was 10-years-old.
“I just know what it’s like having a family member with cancer. The odds of survival have gotten better over the years, and I wanted to help better those odds,” said Almost.
Almost is looking to raise at least $300 dollars in donations for the Underwear Affair.
“Barrhead is a great community, and I’m hoping the community will want to lend their support to a good cause. Depending on how many donations come through, I’m hoping to get my son involved in the run as well,” said Almost.
Anyone interested in donating can contact Almost at (780) 284-0217.
