Despite an ongoing pandemic, Windsor-Essex residents came out in full support of the fight against cancer.
The fourth annual Lock Out Cancer campaign raised over $125,000 for the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation. The final total included support from over 30 Windsor-Essex businesses that donated a portion of their proceeds.
Foundation Executive Director Houida Kassem said she was floored by the community's support.
"The support from our community has been overwhelming," said Kassem in a media release. "Community members and local businesses went the extra mile for women in our region diagnosed with cancer. We are grateful to each and everyone that provided their support."
The money raised will help support the breast reconstruction program at the Windsor Cancer Centre, helping patients get breast reconstruction surgery in Windsor.
Also supported by the money raised will be the image enhancement program, which provides wigs to patients who may have trouble affording one. There is also funding for volunteer-created dignity robes, which allow patients to partially cover themselves during treatment, along with warm, waffle-knit robes worn by patients during radiation appointments.
Dr. Kristina Lutz, Chief of the Plastic Surgery Division at Windsor Regional Hospital, said the foundation has helped many women receive treatment locally, rather than referring them to facilities in London or Toronto.
"The breast reconstruction program at Windsor Regional Hospital is truly indebted to the generosity of the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation," said Lutz. "The WCCF has provided the necessary tools to provide breast reconstruction to over sixty local women in the past two years. Myself and all my patients are so grateful for the support they have given us to run our program."
WRH was the charity partner for Lock Out Cancer. The foundation has raised a total of $30-million to date for initiatives at the Cancer Centre.
