Belleville firefighters kick off Daffodil month by challenging the Quinte West fire department to raise funds for the Hastings Prince Edward & Brighton Canadian Cancer Society. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Let the fundraising begin!
April known as Daffodil month, a national Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser kicked off today locally at the Belleville Fire Headquarters.
Belleville Deputy Fire Chief Ray Ellis, a long time champion of the society and is challenging Quinte West firefighters to create a workplace fundraiser.
Quinte West Fire Chief John Whalen told Quinte News he accepts the challenge with details to be decided. Ellis said wants to bring attention to the cancer risks faced by firefighters in their work every day.
Karen White, volunteer president of Canadian Cancer Society, Hastings-Prince Edward and Brighton Community Office has also been affected by cancer with the loss of her husband and brother something she describes more as being hit by a truck than “touched.” She said when you have been down the cancer journey with a loved one to see another person wearing the daffodil gives you hope.
She said the wonderful thing about this initiative is a lot of the funds stay local.
White added their are 27 families in the area with children who are battling childhood cancer and the funds also help them get to medical appointments.
She said their advocacy committee is working with the provincial government to lobby for eligible take home cancer drugs.
Pup Lucy shows off her daffodil at the annual fundrasing kick off. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
