Money raised goes to the The Rosalin Nickerson CARE Fund

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS

BARRINGTON, NS – Before her mother’s death in 2003, Shelley d’Eon made her mom a promise.

If her mom didn’t survive her pancreatic cancer, d’Eon would do whatever she could – forging ahead in her mother’s spirit – to help other local cancer patients.

Her mom was 57 when she died. In 2004, the Rosalin Nickerson CARE Fund in her mother’s memory was established in the Municipality of Barrington.

“After two years of raising money with just my aunt and I, we decided we had to come up with a big event to capture the attention of the community and somehow get them more involved,” d’Eon says.

She called a community meeting. Only herself, her aunt and a cousin showed up, but that was all they needed to get the job done.

“It took us 10 minutes to come up with Walk for a Cause,” d’Eon says. “The rest is history.”

And there has been strength in numbers ever since.

Walk for a Cause is an event where the community comes together one evening each year to support those battling cancer, to honor those who have survived and to remember those whose lives have been lost.

“Since 2004 we have raised in excess of $1.25 million. All the money goes go to The Rosalin Nickerson CARE Fund,” says d’Eon. “We have provided support to over 440 patients thus far.”

They’re now preparing for their 2022 walk. The Walk for a Cause – DISNEY will be held Saturday, Sept 17 at 4 p.m. at the Barrington Curling Rink.

“We have three kids in our area who have and are battling cancer so we want to put an emphasis this year on them, hence the reason for our DISNEY theme,” d’Eon says.

Kids who registered ahead of time will receive a treat bag and can collect treats throughout the event. There will be a DISNEY paint wall for people to display their creativity on, as well as a DISNEY coloring table.

Face painting is planned, and Sleeping Beauty, Tiana, Elsa, the Incredibles, the Grinch, other princesses, etc. will be on site for people to have their photos taken with. There will also be a sucker pull with prizes.

A rose laying ceremony, an indoor balloon release, a glow wand ceremony and survivor laps are also planned.

There will be a Dutch auction with over 100 items, including a trip to Toronto, which includes airfare and two Maple Leaf tickets. A quilt raffle, 50/50, cotton candy and popcorn will also be part of the event.

A hairdresser will be on hand to cut or shave people’s hair, and there will also be live entertainment by Amy Hockley and Tyler Walker.

Barrington Place Jewellers donated a $1,500 one-carat diamond ring that people could bid on up to and including Sept. 10.

Two registrations were happening prior to the event. Cancer survivors are asked to contact d’Eon directly, or any committee members, to register.

“Because we are doing a DISNEY theme and putting an emphasis on our three sweet children/cancer survivors in the area, we are asking parents/guardians to please register their children,” d’Eon said.

The registration deadline, advertised ahead of the event, was Sept. 11.

In saying this, d’Eon says anyone can still show up at the event without first registering, but to know how many treat bags were needed they needed children to be registered ahead of time. Only those registered were guaranteed to receive a treat bag.

“I hope people will understand,” she says.

Information about the event is posted on Facebook.

Also of note, at the event masks are recommended, although not required.

Meanwhile, d’Eon’s heart is filled with love every year the community comes out in support of this cause.

“It absolutely melts my heart to see everyone there and realize we have come together to honour our cancer survivors, to remember those who have unfortunately lost their battles and to support those who are currently battling,” she says.

“I actually get a lump in my throat when I stand on that stage and see those who are wearing the yellow jerseys – our cancer warriors. It makes me beyond proud and thankful for each of them,” she says.

It also fills her with a very important feeling of hope.

“I didn't only lose my mom, but also lost my dad (age 41) to colon cancer," she says. "When I see those yellow jerseys it makes me realize that this disease can be defeated."

Ensure local journalism stays in your community by purchasing a membership today.

The news and opinions you’ll love for only $20/year.

Start your Membership Now

Your home for the news shaping Canada's East Coast