Only 47 per cent of eligible women are being screened for breast cancer in Ontario.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation wants to see that number go up.
The foundation hopes to encourage women between the ages of 50 and 74 to get themselves screened for the disease through their summer Pink Tour.
A large pink bus is touring the province, making 90 stops, to promote screening. It was parked in front of SilverCity on the CLE grounds Friday.
“The Pink Tour is an engaging way for women to learn about breast cancer screening and early detection,” said Natalie Gierman, director of health promotion, policy and advocacy for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s Ontario region.
The coach has been on the road since May and will continue travelling the province until the end of October, breast cancer awareness month.
Gierman said they’ve had 26,000 people tour the bus and they expect to surpass their goal of having 30,000 people aboard the bus.
“We’ve been welcomed everywhere we go,” she said.
People are also encouraged to sign the bus to pledge their support to the cause and there are so many signatures on the bus, it was difficult for people in Thunder Bay to find a clear spot to sign Friday afternoon.
The bus will be at SilverCity for the remainder of Friday and will be back in the city Aug. 18 and 19.
On Aug. 18 the bus will be at the CIBC on West Arthur Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Aug. 19 it will be at the Shoppers Drug Mart at 300 Memorial Ave. from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and then at the Shoppers on West Arthur Street from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information on the Pink Tour visit http://www.thepinktourontario.com.
