The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 605, will be holding its second annual fundraising event for Glioblastoma brain cancer research at the Gaukel Memorial Community Centre on Friday, May 3, 2024.
The fundraiser is being held as a way to celebrate the memory of Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip and to recognize those who are living with, or affected by brain cancer.
Glioblastoma is the most prevalent high-grade primary brain tumor in adults, and it’s a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor that invades nearby brain tissue.
When Leslie Hendrickson first met Stacy Cornale at the Legion in the summer of 2022, she learned about her husband Mike and his diagnosis with Glioblastoma IDH.
Moved by Mike’s condition, Hendrickson and her friend, Fiona Bell, decided to throw a spring fundraising event in 2023 to help raise awareness about the infliction, as well as to raise much needed funds for research.
The inaugural sold out event raised $35,000 and all proceeds were donated to the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada.
“The community support that we had last year, and already again this year, is just absolutely incredible so I’m super excited to run this event and to donate to this again,” said Hendrickson. “Raising $35,000 was amazing, but it’s just not enough. I want to do one more year and have the chance to be able to donate even more. I really believe that with the help of the people in our community and surrounding areas, we can do this together.”
After selling 600 tickets for last year’s event, the two have decided to sell up to 800 tickets for 2024 and this year’s event will once again feature Tragically Hip tribute band, Grace 2.
“Chef D” Darryl Fletcher, of Chef D Catering and Events, will also be on site selling bacon and cheddar tater tot poutine and crispy chicken sandwiches, with all proceeds being donated back to the cause.
Hendrickson said that with the help and generosity of local businesses and others, there will a large raffle table with big ticket items such as a smoker from Strodes BBQ & Deli, an in-home dinner for four with ChefD, a custom designed Tragically Hip themed guitar, as well as a 20-year-old 8×10 photo that is signed by all five members of the Tragically Hip.
“For the smaller raffle table, we’ve also got lots of sports tickets up for grabs; Two sets of Toronto Maple Leaf tickets, and I believe we’re getting a game for the Toronto Blue Jays with ten box seats, as well as a baseball signed by Kevin Gausman, pitcher for the Jays” she said. “We will also have about five or six different hockey jerseys available to win, as well as plenty more door prizes too.”
In an online announcement posted yesterday, Hendrickson also announced that Jack Syperek from The Trews, will be dropping in and bringing in signed merch for the raffle table.
The event will run on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and for those looking to help support the cause, tickets are being sold for $40 and can be purchase by contacting Leslie Hendrickson at 519-212-6667 or Fiona Bell at 519-717-3507. The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 605 in St. George will also have tickets available as well.
