Soccer club donates to KCC in latter’s final year

Kierstyn and Ty (holding up the donation cheques) were joined with several members of the Amherstburg Soccer Club last Wednesday night. The Amherstburg Soccer Club donated over $4,000 to Kids Curing Cancer.

The Amherstburg Soccer Club presented a cheque to Kids Curing Cancer last Wednesday, marking both a generous community contribution and the end of an inspiring 12-year fundraising journey led by the Baillargeon family.

Kids Curing Cancer was founded by mom Jodi Baillargeon, and her children Lauren, Kierstyn and Ty, 12 years ago in memory of their grandfather, Jodi’s father, Dan Gerard who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. 

Lauren, then just a young girl, set out to raise $50 to give back to the hospital’s patient assistance program. Instead, her handmade bracelets raised $3,000—and a movement was born.

Since then, the Baillargeon siblings — Kierstyn, Lauren and Ty - have continued to grow the initiative. Their signature annual pasta dinner each February, complete with music and door prizes, has become a beloved community tradition, raising over $200,000 for local causes.

Jodi Baillargeon, the siblings’ mother, has supported the initiative from the beginning, watching her children’s small act of kindness grow into a community-wide effort that has touched countless lives.

“We’ve donated to many organizations over the years,” Kierstyn said. “The patient assistance program, the Fight Like Mason Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Hospice, and we even helped bring in an MRI machine to Erie Shores Health Care. This year, we’re helping to furnish the oncology suite at Erie Shores and returning to the Patient Assistance Program since it’s our last year.”

Jodi Baillargeon explained that the decision to wind down fundraising efforts wasn’t easy. 

“It’s gotten really big, and we’ve been doing it out of our dining room,” she said with a smile. 

“It’s not that we want to end it, it’s just gotten bigger than us,” said Kierstyn. “We’re so grateful for how much it’s grown. Our goal has always been to show kids that they can make a difference. Even small efforts matter. We just hope it inspires others.”

Members of the Amherstburg Soccer Club were equally inspired by the Baillargeon’s’ dedication.

“What they are doing is just amazing,” said Josh Leeman, technical director of the club. “The lives they are changing, the things they are doing for these charities are incredible. Every one of our events was a kid’s event, so it was kids participating in fundraising for other kids, which sends a really powerful message.”

Alysha Meloche, director of house league, echoed the sentiment. 

“Cancer touches everyone, whether directly or indirectly,” she said. “It’s great for kids to learn early on that giving back and being part of a community is important. It takes a village, and you never know what battles people are fighting.”

Claire Robson, the club’s sponsorship director, and Saverio Asta, a member at large and coach, were also present for the cheque presentation, which celebrated both the funds raised and the legacy of kindness the Baillargeon’s have built.

Though this marks the final year of Kids Curing Cancer’s fundraising efforts, its message—and the inspiration behind it will continue to ripple through Windsor and Essex County for years to come.

“It all makes a difference,” Kierstyn said. “We just hope it inspires kids to do good things too.”

The total amount raised by the club and donated to Kids Curing Cancer was $4,804.90. 

Soccer club donates to KCC in latter’s final year

By Donna Tuckwell