Several lakecity women are coming together to host a Families Fighting Cancer dinner, dance and silent auction at the Elks Hall on Saturday, April 28.
Corry Williams and her daughter Samantha Genereux say all proceeds from the dance will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.
The two women decided to host the dance in support of Corry’s sister-in-law who is battling cancer for the fourth time.
Corry says she has been accompanying her sister-in-law each week to her chemotherapy treatments.
“Every time we go to the hospital someone new is fighting cancer,” Corry says.
“My eyes were totally opened to how rampant cancer is just in our community alone.”
Samantha adds: “When I was younger I knew the odd person with cancer but now it seems everyone knows someone who is touched by cancer.”
Corry says she planned to have her own head shaved in support of her sister-in-law which is how the idea of a fundraiser was hatched.
“I was going to shave my head to support her, but my husband suggested that if I was going to do it we should make some money for the cancer society,” Corry says.
Samantha says she would have shaved her head too but she has enough on her plate with the due date of her baby coming right about dance time.
Stylist Gloria Matschke will do the head shaving, Corry says, adding, “We are hoping others will join in having their heads shaved too.”
So far she says Cody Woods and her son Mason Hutchins have also volunteered to have their heads shaved.
If people have uncoloured hair with more than seven inches in length available they can also have the hair saved to be made into a wig for a cancer patient.
Tickets are $40 for adults and by donation for children under age 10.
She says they have also arranged for safe rides home for people within city limits.
CJ’s Southwestern Grill will be catering the event and the menu will be a buffet of baron of beef, herb chicken, and a vegetarian lasagna for the main course with vegetables, salads and dessert.
Brooke Paquette will be the DJ.
She says lots of interesting silent auction items are coming in from local individuals and businesses and so far one large donation.
Anyone who would like to volunteer for the event, donate something for the auction or join the head shaving pledge gathering can contact Corry at 250-267-6188 during the day or by e-mail at creativelogging@telus.net.
Corry says there will also be information on the Canadian Cancer Society website about the Families Fighting Cancer event and they will also be creating a Facebook page about the event.
She says her father James Sutherland, who now lives in Arizona, has already sold six tickets in support of the event.
She says her whole family including husband Darren and their five children Samantha, 26, Gaige, 22, Taylor, 20, Mason, 16, and Makayla, 10, will supporting the fundraiser.