28th Leukemia Gala raises hope and funds for blood cancer research
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Toronto – June 19, 2017 – The combined fundraising efforts of UFCW Canada activists, family members, and Local Unions were once again highlighted at the 28th Annual UFCW Canada Leukemia Gala, held on June 16 in Toronto.
UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema announced that the fundraising efforts of Canada's leading union in support of the lifesaving research efforts of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) have raised $2,516,951 dollars over the past year.
The money raised goes toward supporting LLSC research, raising awareness of leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and other blood cancers, and reaching out to those suffering from blood cancers.
At the Gala, representatives from the LLSC presented Dr. David Spanner with the UFCW Canada Award for Leukemia Research for his work towards developing a better understanding of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) – the most common adult leukemia in Canada – and how to improve treatments for the disease.
"The heartfelt commitment and efforts of UFCW Canada members, staff, their families, and our community partners make a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands of Canadians who have been affected by leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers," UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema told the Gala audience. "Thanks to the funds that our union has raised in support of the Society’s research, education, and outreach initiatives, more and more Canadians are winning their battle against blood cancer, and that is why our union will continue to fight side-by-side with the LLSC and support their integral work,” he added.
For nearly three decades, UFCW Canada members and community allies have organized and participated in numerous fundraising activities – including raffles, community picnics, 50-50 draws, car washes, sports tournaments, ride-a-thons, marathons, relays, and Light the Night walks – to raise money for the fight against blood cancer, and this past year was no different.
Another pillar of the union's fundraising efforts is the highly successful "Returns for Leukemia" bottle drive, whereby UFCW Canada activists collect deposits on bottle returns at Beer Stores across Ontario and donate the proceeds to the LLSC. At the Leukemia Gala, UFCW Canada Local 12R24 President Robert Edwards announced that this year's "Returns for Leukemia" bottle drive raised an incredible $1,804,912 dollars.
The overall total raised by UFCW Canada's Leukemia efforts has now reached $38,890,691 dollars, making our union the LLSC's most valued partner. UFCW Canada is and will continue to be the largest annual supporter of the Society's life-saving efforts in the ongoing fight against blood cancers.