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Last year more than 1,250 women in the Windsor region were diagnosed with cancer and women accounted for more than 32,000 visits to the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre.
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For the month of May, the Windsor Cancer Center Foundation is inviting the community to “lock out cancer” with its annual fundraising campaign benefitting the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre.
“None of our cancer patients should ever be alone,” said Houida Kassem, executive director of the Windsor Cancer Center Foundation.
“The way we can do that is by supporting our Lock Out Cancer campaign, supporting the women in our community who have been diagnosed with cancer, ensuring money stays local and assists in their treatment so they can have their treatment here.”
They are women of courage, bravery, strength and resilience
Lock Out Cancer focuses on the cancer care needs of women in the community, the counterpart to the foundation’s also-popular Grow On campaign in November. All of the money raised locally stays in Windsor-Essex to assist in cancer treatment, research and awareness.
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The cancer foundation this year hopes the Lock Out Cancer campaign will fund the purchase of essential equipment in the cancer centre’s breast reconstruction program, allowing people with breast cancer to remain in the area for reconstructive surgeries.
Brooke Spitse is one of five Lock Out Cancer ambassadors for this year, and shared her story of receiving a cancer diagnosis just weeks before her 30th birthday.
“Seeing you loved ones in pain when you tell them you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, is much harder than being diagnosed with cancer,” said Spitse, who also worked for the cancer center for nine years.
“When I go to the Windsor Regional Cancer Center for my appointments I am so grateful to the Windsor Cancer Center Foundation and its donors,” Spitse said. “Being diagnosed with cancer is scary but we have a great team … and I am so thankful to receive my treatments here in Windsor.”
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Spitse is joined by Dana DiCarlo-Stevens, Karma Jasey, Ashley Sarros, and Stephanie Giacalone as 2022 Lock Out Cancer ambassadors.
“They are women of courage, bravery, strength and resilience,” Kassem said.
In addition to making individual donations, people can find a list of local fundraising events online, or participate through local businesses: A selection of local spas will donate part of their proceeds from select services to the cancer center this month during “Spas for a Cause ,” and several local florists will donate a portion of proceeds as part of the “Lillies for Lock Out” campaign.
Find more information, ways to donate and participating events and fundraisers at lockoutcancer.com.