Be Brave and Shave on Bluey Day, May 24
Bluey Day is back for the 26th year, raising funds through the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation for the Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment Fund.
Over the past 26 years, more than $2.4 million have been raised locally by community members who are brave enough to shave their heads for a good cause. In fact, 966 heads have been shaved to support people in the community with cancer.
The Cancer and Diagnostic Treatment Fund plays key role in acquiring emergent medial equipment for the North Peace, equipment that enables early screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, while ensuring that patients can access the same level of care available in larger centres, at home surrounded by family and friends.
In Fort St. John’s largest peer-to-peer fundraiser, participants register and fundraise, and then everyone gathers at Centennial Park on the stage, to have their heads shaved. It’s open to all ages, some of the biggest fundraisers in past years have been local youth. Last year’s event saw 35 people get their heads shaved and raise $125,000.
Nearly 50 percent of Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer – of those diagnoses, 13 percent will be diagnosed with lung and bronchus cancer; 12 percent with breast cancer; 11 percent with prostate cancer; and 10 percent with colorectal cancer.
Funds from Bluey Day go to support the Community Cancer Centre, which is one of two clinics in the Northeast Region that provides systemic therapy. The clinic is currently managing 120 cases and is looking to expand their hours to improve patient access.
The City of Fort St. John has declared May to be Bluey Day Month, and the stage in Centennial Park will be lit up in blue on May 23 and 24 for Bluey Day itself.