Teal to Heal Cape Breton reaches new heights

Sunday May 25, 2025

Teal to Heal volunteers and participants reveal grand total of funds raised, alongside youth participants honoring women lost to gynecological cancer. Back row: Janette Boudreau, Jamie Pollett, Gillian Delorenzo (with her children), Carolyn Aker, Monica Grandy, Lauren MacLean, Marie Francis Boudreau Front row: Bennett Inglis, holding a photo of his great aunt (far left) Myka Wadden, (fourth from left)and Beckett Erickson, holding a photo of his grandmother (third from right).

The fourth annual Teal to Heal Cape Breton – Unama’ki reached new heights, raising a record total of $244,237.00.

More than 1,800 people joined outside the Membertou Sport and Wellness Complex to participate in the event on May 11, 2025. Along with the walk/run, the event featured a 50/50, silent auction, and wellness expo.

All funds raised support the Teal at Home fund via our Foundation, which provides financial support to Cape Bretoners living with gynecological cancers. Support includes the covering of costs associated with travelling to specialist appointments, accommodations for medical-related travel, childcare during treatment, psycho-social support programming such as psychologist visits, medication support, respite care, comfort bags, and more.

Each month, approximately 50 patients are supported via the efforts of Teal to Heal Cape Breton and its community of donors.

This year, proceeds will also help to fund two researcher scholarship positions for the gynecological lab at the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute in Halifax.

Team “Jazz Hands” strikes their signature pose at Teal to Heal 2025, in memory of Madonna “Donna” Jackson.

Roster: Carolyn Aker, Colleen Acker, Cory Aker, Liam Aker, Kathleen Dixon, Lauren Douglas, Alicia Guy, Darlene Guy, Greg Guy, Leonard Guy, Nancy Hoddinott, Mark Inglis, Melissa Inglis, Jordan Ivey, Kyle Jackson, Lewis Jackson, Dan Kalbhenn, Emily Kalbhenn, Dylan Livingstone, Ann Marie MacGillivary, Sandy MacGillivray, Erica Riles, Anne Walsh, Peter Walsh,

The 2025 fundraising total brings Teal to Heal Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s historical impact to nearly $790,000.

Teal to Heal was created by Dena Edwards Wadden, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 33-years-old. Dena is a Nurse Practitioner, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Cape Breton University, and Phd. candidate.

Thank you to Dena, the Teal to Heal volunteer team, our incredible community of sponsors, donors and supporters, for uplifting our friends, families and neighbours, when they need it most!