It’s a new record for West Ferris Secondary School’s Trojan Parade for Cancer.
$56,000 has been raised and will be donated to the North Bay Regional Health Center (NBRHC). That beats the $30,000 record from three years ago.
It’s the 26th time the Trojan community has held the event and raised funds for the fight against cancer, and it’s the first time in two years due to the pandemic.
The final tally was unveiled at the Kiwanis Bandshell in front of hundreds of students as well as community dignitaries on Tuesday (May 31).
Mark Robertson, a teacher at the school, says the students’ enthusiasm has been amazing.
“Along with the citizens donating and corporate sponsors this year like we haven’t seen before… we’re really excited,” he says. “In the past, we donated to the Canadian Cancer Society which is an amazing organization. But this year, we thought we’d make a change. We’re keeping the money here, locally, and that partnership [with the North Bay Regional Health Centre] has been amazing. We see it being a partnership for years.”
Robertson says the event was a success.
“It’s an amazing experience for everyone involved. We just knew it was going to be special this year. It’s all about the kids, and them going door to door and getting these donations.”
Tammy Morison, the President and CEO of the NBRHC Foundation, couldn’t believe the amount of money that was raised.
“I never expected it to be this successful,” she says. ” A few weeks ago, when we were at the gym in the assembly the music was incredible and I knew that was going to translate to something very special today. I’m just so proud of every single one of these teams. Lots of them probably got out of their comfort zone, went to their neighbours, their families and friends and asked for donations. All those small, medium and large donations came together to have this huge impact. We’re just so incredibly grateful.”
Morison says the funds will be going to the hospital’s Cancer Care Fund, which funds medical care equipment for any and all kinds of cancer care treatment or diagnosis.
She says it’s huge to get this kind of support from the school, and it was great seeing the students gather together outside at the bandshell.
“The school spirit here is palpable. […] I think we’re all a little tired of Zoom. it’s just incredible and as I said, goosebumps seeing everybody come together. It’s safe, we’re outside, lots of fresh air, a few hugs going around which is really cool.”
Over the years the school has raised $300,000 for cancer research.
