September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the non-profit group Child Can is working hard to support families in need during these tough times.
Childhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among Canadian children, with Ontario seeing a rise of about 1 percent each year from 1986 to 2018, based on data from Child Can.
Amy Mathias, Community Engagement and Communications Associate at Child Can, mentioned that there will be various flag-raising events across Ontario tomorrow, along with other activities throughout the month such as the Childcan Pyjama Walks. Mathias noted that these events are very meaningful and show support for kids undergoing treatment.
“We encourage people to stay in their pyjamas; we call it the Child Can Pyjama Walk so that everyone can stand together with the kids who spend much of their time in pyjamas during treatment,” Mathias explained. “Childhood cancer treatment isn’t just a quick fix. It can last anywhere from six weeks to three years, and during this period, pyjamas are super comfortable for these kids.”
Mathias pointed out that Childcan provides essential assistance to families by covering travel expenses and other costs associated with places like London Health Sciences Centre where many treatments happen.
“Right after diagnosis, Child Can steps in with parking passes valid for the entire duration of the child’s treatment, which could last up to three years. Families can keep that parking pass throughout their stay, saving them a significant amount right away,” she said. “We also help with additional costs like groceries, gas bills, utilities-those expenses don’t stop. Often one or both parents have to leave their jobs to care for their sick child while they’re hospitalized.”
A gold ribbon serves as the universal symbol of awareness for all types of childhood cancer.
“Gold represents something precious; just like our children are our most valued treasure. We’re extremely grateful to municipalities across Southwestern Ontario for glowing gold this month by raising flags and officially declaring September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,” added Suzanne Fratschko Elliott, Executive Director at Childcan. “These actions highlight how crucial it is to support our children and their families. We invite everyone to get involved-whether it’s attending a flag-raising event, putting up an awareness sign in your yard or participating in the Childcan Pyjama Walk. Together we can honor our young heroes’ courage and inspire real change this September.”
Mathias emphasized that donations are vital for keeping Child Can operational. Throughout September there will be numerous opportunities to contribute including walks and bike rides across the new Gordie Howe Bridge. Currently, Childcan helps 25 percent of all children diagnosed with childhood cancer in Ontario. To learn more about Childhood Cancer Awareness Month or make a donation visit childcan. com/gold.
The following dates and locations are set for flag-raising events:
September 1:
-Stratford will host a flag-raising ceremony at Stratford City Hall at 8:30 a. m.
-St. Mary’s will hold a flag-raising ceremony at St. Mary’s Town Hall at 10 a. m.
-Aylmer will have a flag-raising ceremony at Aylmer Town Hall at 11 a. m.
-Amherstburg will also host a flag-raising ceremony at Amherstburg Town Hall at 12 p. m.
-Chatham will hold its ceremony at Chatham-Kent Civic Centre at noon.
-Owen Sound’s event takes place outside City Hall at 3 p. m.
-Huron County will fly its flag proudly over Huron County Courthouse throughout September.
-London plans on illuminating City Hall along with RBC Place and other buildings from September 1-7 while flying its flag high.
-Tecumseh intends on doing likewise by illuminating Town Hall’s exterior.
September 2 ,3 ,4:
-La Salle kicks off its celebration hosting ceremony midday (12:00 PM) on Saturday , Sept.2nd , at Civic Centre.
-Kingsville follows suit holding theirs also around noon (12 PM) but specifically on Sunday Sept.3rd , taking place inside Kingsville Arena Complex.
-Essex joins festivities hosting yet another similar event scheduled exactly (noon)Monday Sept.4th.. while Sault Ste Marie wraps things up hosting their own version starting (1PM), again same day(Sept.4th).Rest Of September :
-Elgin County plans an official raise-up happening promptly ten AM local time (10AM )on Friday Sept.8th !
– St Thomas matches those efforts announcing plans too taking place early morning hours atop town hall premises(begging precisely ten AM)on Thursday Sept19 !
Childcan Pyjama Walk Dates:
Put on your pajamas & take steps supporting children facing childhood cancer during this special month!
Learning your kid has cancer hits hard; affecting families both emotionally & financially.. which drives us forward every step taken! We walk because we care-we walk bringing comfort remembering loved ones lost along way-and stepping forth lightening loads offering hope into lives challenged heavily against odds steep!
-Saturday , September twelfth twenty twenty-six from four o’clock till seven o’clock PM @ Lion’s Park Mitchell ;
-Saturday , September nineteenth two thousand twenty-six between eleven AM through two PM @ Harrison Park Owen Sound ;
-Saturday afternoon(same day mentioned above), starting around four until seven PM @ Springbank Gardens London ;
-Sunday following same theme continuing forth next week(20th), starting bright ‘n early thru lunchtime beginning approximately ten o’clock ’till one(o’clock)PM @ Vollmer Complex La Salle ;
-Later later again Sunday nearby townsfolk gathering once more through afternoon(one-ish onwards until approx four pm!)at Mike Weir Park located Brights Grove ;
– Lastly wrapping things up Saturday nearing end month again backtracking slightly toward Roberta Bondar Park(Sault Ste. Marie)-the date being final weekend before closure -from ten(am)-one(pm)!
https://childcan. com/walk Community Event Dates:
-Pay attention participants joining forces within region celebrating via Gordie Howe Bridge walking/riding event held Windsor : mark your calendars everybody-it’s happening soon enough come soon arriving date Set For-count down now begins ! Date expected? You guessed correctly-yes indeed next coming weekend marked specifically slated towards earlier half-month thus targeting prime timeline…So expect tons excitement shared amongst fellow participants everywhere experiencing unity together felt strongly while showcasing causes supported !
-People residing Kitchener-Waterloo should prepare themselves gearing up fun-filled race event named Amazingly Fun Race set take place later scheduled then afterwards approaching latter quarter month thereafter concluding finally closing outsider radius stretched farthest point however still remaining contained wholly near city limits occurs …so get ready folks join us here put shoes marching moving quickly swiftly towards goals ahead complete mission successfully see great outcome achieved together!
https://childcan. com/events
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