With glowing red, gold and white lanterns, UFCW Canada Local 1000A marchers took to the streets of downtown Toronto, Ottawa and London to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
While Local 1000A marchers walked in support of members, families and friends affected by these blood cancers, some also marched in support of Hailey Delaney, the four-year-old daughter of Local 1000A member and Kretschmar packer Maria Loares. Hailey is battling T-Cell Leukemia.
“The fight against Leukemia and Lymphoma is a cause very close to our hearts,” said President Pearl Sawyer, who participated in the Toronto walk. “We carry the hopes, struggles and prayers of those suffering with this deadly disease with us as we walk for a cure.”
Join UFCW Canada Local 1000A on Saturday, November 29, for a great time raising funds to strike out sickle cell anemia. Everyone is welcome!
Note: Date was changed from Nov 1 to Nov 29.
Maria Loares remembers the frozen roads and the blackness that had enveloped many of the streets as she drove her three-year-old daughter to the hospital just past 3 a.m. through one of the worst ice storms in Toronto’s history.
“I can never forget that stormy freezing rain because that’s the day our lives changed,” she said.
The day before, her daughter, Hailey Delaney, had started getting mysterious bruises on her legs. At first, Maria thought maybe they came from her playing. That evening, Maria’s fears grew as Hailey got another bruise on her arm. Then, in the early hours of December 22, 2013, Hailey’s nose began to bleed and they could not get it to stop.
At the hospital, Hailey went through test after test. Later that day, she would be diagnosed with T-cell Leukemia (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia).
Motorcycle enthusiasts took to the roads of Southern Ontario for the 5th Annual Ride for a Cure, raising more than $10,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
“At its core, Ride for a Cure is about doing everything we can to help find a cure for this disease that affects so many families across this country,” said Diana O’Brien, a Local 1000A activist who helped coordinate the event with Local 175 & 633’s John DiNardo.
The ride drew 50 participants. It started at Local 1000A’s office in Woodbridge, Ontario and ended at Local 175’s office in Mississauga, Ontario.
“On behalf of Local 1000A, I want to thank our amazing riders, supporters, staff, sponsors, and organizers Diana O’Brien and John DiNardo for making Ride for a Cure such a success year after year,” said Kevin Benn, Secretary-Treasurer for Local 1000A. "By coming together, we are making a difference in the lives of patients with leukemia."
