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).
“She was so quiet when I explained what was happening,” said Maria, a Local 1000A member from Kretschmar. “When the nurses started to use needles, she started to freak out. She was scared.”Blood work, transfusions of platelets (to help blood clot), and chemotherapy became part of her life.
“I tell her, you have to be strong, and this is only temporary,” Maria said.
On September 20, Maria, Hailey and their family addressed the Local 1000A stewards at their 8th Annual Conference to thank the union and its members for their efforts to raise awareness and funds to finding a cure for Leukemia.
“We are thankful for the support,” Maria said. “UFCW Canada’s fundraising efforts make a difference in the lives of people suffering from Leukemia & Lymphoma and fund research for a cure. It gives patients hope not to give up in their journey.”
Since 1985, UFCW Canada has raised more than $31 million for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
This year, Local 1000A is continuing on with our fundraising efforts through the Cash Calendar initiative and the Light the Night walks.
“Every cash calendar you buy or sell, every dollar you donate for the walk will make a difference in the lives of those suffering from Leukemia,” said President Pearl Sawyer.
