University of Lethbridge students Anna Kovalchuk and Devynn Helischauer have earned CIBC Education Awards for their fundraising prowess in the annual Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure Post Secondary Challenge.

Each year, CIBC and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) challenge post-secondary students to show their pink spirit, get involved and raise funds for breast cancer research, education and awareness initiatives. In celebration of their hard work and dedication to giving back to their community, the top five regional and 10 national individual fundraisers across Canada receive a CIBC Education Award of $2,500 to help with school expenses.

Kovalchuk is a fourth-year neuroscience student who has been honoured with a CIBC Education Award for three successive years. She raised the second highest dollar amount of the national winners, totaling $4,410. Helischauer, a mathematics and kinesiology student who last year led all Alberta students in fundraising, brought in $3,536 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

"It is my intent to pursue a career in medicine and medical research, and it is crucially important to strengthen research and community funding," says Kovalchuk on her motivation as a fundraiser. "Research funding stems from donations and fundraisers that are organized by foundations such as CBCF. I have been involved in cancer research since my first year at the University of Lethbridge. Some of the research projects that I have been involved in were supported by Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation grants. Participating in a run like this and raising funds for the CBCF is my way to give back to the foundation."

This year, Post Secondary Challenge participants from the University of Lethbridge, University of Calgary, University of Alberta and MacEwan University won nine of the 15 awards given to students across Canada. They helped to collectively raise almost $500,000 for the cause.

"I would like to congratulate the 2013 CIBC Education Award recipients, and all students participating in the Post Secondary Challenge across Canada, for your fundraising efforts and dedication to finding a cure for breast cancer," says Mark Galbraith, Region Head, Alberta, CIBC. "You inspire hope that the legacy of the CIBC Run for the Cure will continue through the compassion, determination and strong leadership of future generations."

To view full results of the 2013 Post Secondary Challenge, visit www.runforthecure.com/psc.