Calgary’s Boobyball raises close to $70,000

A wild party in an equally feral setting helped raise close to $70,000 for a young women’s breast cancer movement. The ninth annual Boobyball fundraiser was held Oct. 27 in the Calgary Zoo’s Enmax Conservatory. The exotic surroundings may have helped unleash partygoers’ inner animal as they lined up for temporary animal tattoos, nature-inspired treats and tropical cocktails. Notable guests included city blogger Mr. Fabulous, model and style writer Ania Boniecka, and the Calgary Stampede Queen and Princesses. There was even a gorilla in the crowd and some big cat-inspired makeup. The event encouraged patrons to take charge of their breast health and help raise funds for those affected by the disease. Boobyball was launched in 2002 by a group of women in support of their friend Sarah O’Regan who was diagnosed with aggressive, advanced breast cancer at only 23. Fifteen years later, Boobyball is a high-profile fundraising event for young philanthropists in Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Winnipeg. O’Regan is now a mother of three. Since inception, the national event has raised over $3.8 million dollars for Rethink Breast Cancer’s work for women in their 40s and under who are concerned about and affected by breast cancer.