RRU alum inspires others to join in Victoria’s Run for the Cure
Learn more about the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program.
For Erin Beattie, the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure is more than a community fundraiser. It is a personal milestone and a powerful expression of hope.
Last fall, Beattie joined the run just months after major surgery and one year after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She arrived that morning with her husband, her in-laws and dog, unsure of how she would manage the walk. What she found was strength, community and a moment she will never forget.
“I was surrounded by the most supportive, welcoming group of people,” she said. “Survivors, families, friends. Walking the run became a moment of reclaiming my strength. It reminded me I wasn’t alone, even in the hardest chapters.”
Now, Beattie is helping lead the event in Victoria as the volunteer communications lead. It is a role that combines her professional background with her personal story, and one she takes to heart.
“Being part of the communications side is deeply meaningful to me,” she said. “Not just because of what I’ve been through, but because I get to shape the stories and messages that connect our community. It feels full circle.”
Beattie is a Royal Roads University alum who completed the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program in 2017. She has worked with organizations across Greater Victoria for more than 20 years and is the founder of Engage + Empower Consulting. She is also one of CHEK News Inspiring Island Women, recognized in June for her community leadership and advocacy.
“I didn’t expect to be a survivor, let alone someone others might find inspiring,” she said. “But it gave me a platform to talk about early detection, support and using your voice even when it feels shaky.”
For Beattie, communication is not just a skillset; it is a way of showing up.
“My time at Royal Roads taught me how communication builds bridges,” said Beattie. “My cancer journey showed me just how important that is when you're vulnerable or facing change. Community became my lifeline.”
One memory that stands out came near the end of last year’s walk. Beattie met a group of women, each on their own path through diagnosis and recovery. Though they had never met, they shared stories and laughter as if they had known each other for years.
“It reminded me how healing it is to be seen and understood without explanation,” she said. “That moment was a turning point. It was the first time I felt like a survivor, not just a patient.”
Beattie hopes more people will consider participating, even if they do not have a direct connection to the cause.
“You don’t need to be a runner or know someone with breast cancer,” she said. “You just need to care. Whether you walk, volunteer or simply show up, you’re making a difference.”
As she prepares to help lead this year’s run, Beattie carries her experience forward, one story at a time.
“Survivorship is complex, and showing up even when it’s hard matters,” she said. “I hope people remember that communication is not just what we say. It is how we support each other.”
The 34th annual Run for the Cure takes place on Sunday, October 5 at the University of Victoria. The event is open to all ages, with options to walk or run one or five kilometres. Funds raised will support life-saving breast cancer research and compassionate support programs across Canada. Last year, the Victoria community raised more than $165,000, and the team is aiming even higher this year.
Learn more about the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program.