Tag: local
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Donald Trump’s election victory came with plenty of support from the Great Lakes region — unofficial returns show him winning five of the eight states. But in the aftermath of the election, environmental advocates were trying to determine how his presidency will affect the region, especially in light of his pledge to defund the Environmental Protection Agency. Aryeh Alex, director of the […]
Following up on Flint: What’s happening now that the spotlight is gone?
The Great Lakes Bureau is returning to Flint, Michigan to investigate the state of the city, it’s residents and their future since the media spotlight has shifted away from the troubled town. We’re interested in what’s been happening since our production of Beyond the Tap part 1, which premiered on the WORLD channel’s LOCAL, USA series earlier this year. Producer […]
Michigan State University Professor wins Stockholm Water Prize
Stockholm (31 August 2016) –Professor Joan B. Rose received the 2016 Stockholm Water Prize on Wednesday, for her tireless contributions to global public health; by assessing risks to human health in water and creating guidelines and tools for decision-makers and communities to improve global wellbeing. The prize was presented to Joan Rose by H.M. Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, […]
Feed a pig for Wheels of Hope
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Nancy Thibeault knows how difficult having cancer can be on the patient and the family. She’s been there and three years ago she decided to give back in a tangible way.
Thibeault has been a volunteer driver with the Wheels of Hope transportation program at the Canadian Cancer Society since 2012.
In 2005 Thibeault was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Throughout her treatment the people she interacted with were incredibly kind and she wanted to give back. She wanted to be one of those thoughtful people.
There are many reasons that keep Thibeault returning as a volunteer but the bonds she’s created are one of those reasons.
“I think just to know that I can, in fact, drive someone and take the worry away from family members is enough,” Thibeault said.
Thibeault knows first hand how much there is to think about and deal with when a cancer diagnosis hits family that some people may not realize.
“This is a wonderful program and I believe it helps families, so, so much,” Thibeault said.
The Pigs of Hope campaign gives people the chance to “adopt” a piggy bank to raise money for Wheels of Hope, which provides rides to cancer patients for treatment and related appointments.
“It’s neighbours helping neighbours in its truest fashion,” said CCS fundraising coordinator, Laura Pethick.
One in five cancer patients have trouble getting to appointments for physical or financial reasons, Pethick said.
“Imagine the devastation of the diagnosis and then having to worry about how you’re going to get there,” Pethick added.
The average cost of a ride from Huron-Perth to London costs about $50, so a minimum commitment of that amount is required to adopt a pig. Participants decide how many rides they want to sponsor, either doing so as an individual or as a group.
Drivers volunteer their time but are reimbursed for their mileage. It cost the Huron-Perth chapter $54,000 to run the program last year.
“The need is growing every year,” Pethick said.
“This is a really neat, tangible way for people to say ‘I wanna help and I want to know that I’m helping a neighbour’,” Pethick added.
The Huron-Perth chapter provided assistance to 143 cancer patients with 1,750 rides to cancer related appointments. There are 72 drivers with the local office that drove 151,544 km last year.
As an extra bonus adopters can dress up and name their piggy banks to take part in a contest. Take a picture of your pig in its costume and email it to huronperth@ontario.cancer.ca or tweet it to @ccshuronperth.
“We’ve seen someone put a mustache for Movember, we’ve seen someone dress it up as Santa,” Pethick said.
Businesses, schools, groups or individuals can adopt a pig on Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Bayshore Broadcasting (108 Courthouse Square).
If you want to adopt a pig but are unable to attend on Dec. 4 go online to http://convio.cancer.ca/goto/huronperthpigs2015.
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Great Lakes Restoration Database Launched
Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announced today the launch of a new online Great Lakes Restoration Database (GLRD), available at habitat.glc.org. The site showcases, in one easy-to-access location, projects implemented under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) … Read More »