HOPE Prevails at the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope
Published Friday, October 4, 2019
For 27 years the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope has offered women the chance to take a few hours to come together and offer support to women facing breast cancer and to raise funds for breast cancer care, diagnoses, and treatment in Northwestern Ontario. Additionally, the luncheon provides an opportunity to celebrate survivors, while also remembering those lost to breast cancer. Most importantly, it’s women giving HOPE to one another. This year, over $33,000 was raised for the cause.
Over 400 women gathered for a delicious ‘High Tea’ at the Victoria Inn and were treated to local guest speakers including Kathy Ball, who spoke about her journey with breast cancer, and Deb Saunders, a retired Registered Nurse who shared what it’s like to work on the Screen for Life mobile cancer screening coach. Each provided a message that now, more than ever, we have the best opportunities to fight breast cancer and can live a long and fulfilling life after being diagnosed.
Kathy, especially, spoke about life after breast cancer and said, “The continued advancement in treatments and wonderful doctors at our cancer clinic have enabled my survival but more so have helped me to appreciate each sunrise, sunset and fearlessly embrace every new adventure that comes my way - I am eternally grateful.”
Sue Dubinsky, a member of the organizing Committee for the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope, emphasized how important it is to have exceptional breast cancer care available locally. She said, “The funds raised year-after-year at this luncheon have been instrumental in ensuring our families and friends can receive the care they require here at home, instead of having to leave town. There’s really no substitute to having your support system by your side as you are undergoing either diagnostic testing or treatment for breast cancer. Thanks to the ongoing support of our sponsors and guests, we’re able to continually update the equipment to screen for cancer, so we can find it at its earliest and give women the best chance possible to fight it. Additionally, for the 1 in 8 women who will face breast cancer, we have the latest equipment to provide treatment under the guidance of our highly skilled team at Regional Cancer Care.”
The success of the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope is very much due to the loyal attendees, and also sponsors, like Tbaytel, who’ve been supporting the luncheon for over a decade. Amy Meunier, the Director of Marketing and Communication at Tbaytel said, “Supporting organizations, initiatives and events that help build a stronger, healthier and more vibrant community, like the Luncheon of Hope, is something that we at Tbaytel care a great deal about. Every year, we're reminded of the real and lasting impact the funds raised here have on improving cancer care in our region, and we are proud that Tbaytel can be a small part of it."
Together, we make HOPE possible.
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For more information, please contact:
Heather Vita,
Director, Marketing and Communications
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation
Tel: 684-7111 Cell: 631-3793
E-mail: Heather.Vita@healthsciencesfoundation.ca