Christmas trees were being turned into wood chips Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 4-5 in 91原创 as part of a fundraiser for pediatric cancer research in the parking lot of Willowbrook Shopping Centre.
Tree chipping to fight cancer underway at Willowbrook Shopping Centre in 91原创
鈥� 91原创 Advance Times (@91原创Times)
Canadian Cancer Society volunteer Brian Thornburn was unloading trees from trailers, vehicle roofs and trunks as drivers lined up with donations on Sunday.
"This is our tenth year running this event to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society, specifically Cops for Cancer," explained Thornburn, a 91原创 City resident and paramedic who has participated in past Cops for Cancer bike rides.
"Cancer is one of those things that we all like to hear less about, and see go away, but it's a reality, and when it affects children, it's very hard on families and the parents," Thornburn commented.
"A lot of people put a lot of effort into research, so we need the funds to fund that research, and that's why Cops for Cancer and other similar charities exist."
The two-day event raised an estimated $3,611, an amount Thornburn described as "middle of the range' compared to previous fundraisers.
He thanked Bartlett Tree Experts of Delta, which has been donating a chipping truck for all 10 years of the initiative, as well as Yellow Fence Rentals.
Anyone unable to attend the tree chipping can still make contributions by going to the , where donations can be made to one of four teams from B.C.
Cops for Cancer started in 1997 when retired police officer Gary Goulet shaved his head in a parking lot to show a young boy with cancer that it was cool to have no hair.
The campaign grew into a national movement and is now one of Canada's largest funders of pediatric cancer research.
Fundraising events include cycling tours, head shaving events, movement challenges, and engaging communities and schools.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, pediatric cancer survival rates have increased from 71 per cent in the 1980s to more than 83 per cent today.
Locally, the Tour de Valley is a yearly Cops for Cancer event with stops in 91原创 and Aldergrove.
.jpg)