Amherstburg resident leads “Carve 4 Cancer” fundraiser
The Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation will be the beneficiary of a fundraiser led by an Amherstburg resident and her family.
“Carve 4 Cancer” was presented at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre as a fundraiser for the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation. Led by 20-year-old Lindsey Bareich, this year’s pumpkin-carving event raised $15,072 for the foundation.
Bareich pointed out she started “Carve 4 Cancer” when she was 12-years-old, with the encouragement of her family. Now a student at the University of Waterloo with a co-op placement in Montreal, she received help from her father David and mother Sandra in presenting it this year.
“I look forward to it every single year,” said Bareich.
The initial suggestion in 2018 was to get 20 pumpkins from the farm the family goes to, obtain $500 sponsorships for each, and raise $10,000. The pumpkins were donated this year by LaSalle farmer Gerard Drouillard, who also was a judge.
The fundraiser grew over the years and this year’s fundraising goal jumped from $10,000 to $15,000. Bareich said the nine-year fundraising total has now surpassed $108,500.
The friendly competition gives local businesses the opportunity to sponsor a giant pumpkin and showcase their creativity through unique designs, all while raising funds for local cancer care. During the last week of October, the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre entrance was transformed with a display of carved and decorated pumpkins.
The foundation says this year, through friendly competition, 17 businesses competed for the title of Best Pumpkin, which was voted on by patients, visitors, and staff at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre. The public could also vote through the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation’s Facebook page.
Winners included:
• Most In-Person Votes: Sunsetters Tanning Salon, Leamington
• Most Online Votes: KPMG
• Highest Fundraiser: CenterLine (Limited) Windsor
• Judges’ Choice: MTE Controls Group
“The best part is the in-person voting,” she said. “When I started the event at 12-years-old, it was to make a visible, positive impact on patients
and families at the cancer centre. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they see the pumpkins makes all the planning and hard work completely worth it.”
There were challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and years when the pumpkin crop failed, but they adjusted and even did a Christmas fundraiser one year.
David said he challenged Lindsey when she was 12 and she took it from there.
“She’s done a really good job fundraising for this place,” he said.
Windsor Regional Cancer Centre vice president Nicole Krywionek said the employees and those coming to the cancer centre for treatment look forward to it every year. She said treatments can be daunting at times but the pumpkins are one way to boost spirits.
All money raised goes into capital purchases, Krywionek added, and the money raised during “Carve 4 Cancer” goes a long way.
Amherstburg resident leads “Carve 4 Cancer” fundraiser
By Ron Giofu
Comments