During the previous eleven years, the Holy Redeemer March 4 A Cure Program has fundraised over $100,000 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. And this year, they plan to add to that total.
“This past year saw a great group of students who had been with the program since grade 7 graduate,” says Organizer Mike Bachinsky. “So it was so amazing to see so many new faces step forward and want to be a part of the process. And with that comes new ideas and an exciting month of activities.”
The March 4 A Cure Program is a student-led group that fundraises through the entire month of March by organizing a number of different events, with all proceeds going to the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
The first fundraising event will be a pierogi and sausage fundraiser through Prairie Gourmet Perogies. “I received only positive feedback regarding price, quantity and quality from last year’s sale,” says Bachinsky. “So we are pleased to offer it again this year.” Order forms and payment are due by Thursday, March 10th, and individuals can pick up their products on Thursday, March 17th. Go to the HRH Facebook page to find an order form.
The next, and by far biggest, event is the annual auction. For the first 10 years of the program, the auction was a live event, however due to the COVID restrictions last year the event was moved to an online format through Patterson’s Auctioneering Service. It was an outstanding success raising more money than ever before. “This year, our goal is to put 200 items up for auction,” says Bachinsky. “Students have been canvasing the business community by phone and email asking for donations.” If there are businesses wishing to donate items, please contact Bachinsky at the school. The auction will run online from March 7th to 20th. “We would also like to put a huge thank you out to Patterson’s Auctioneering Service for offering this service to us free of charge,” says Bachinsky.
Auction link: https://hibid.com/catalog/
Perhaps one of the most impactful contributions to this event comes in the form of a young grade 8 student, Maya Dalueg, who will be raising money so she may donate her hair to “locks of love” and will be additionally shaving her entire head. “If you know Maya, she is a very bright and determined young lady with beautiful long brown hair,” says Bachinsky. “In the 12 years of running this fundraiser there has only been two females who have shaved their heads, so this is a really big deal!” When Dalueg was asked what motivated her to do this, she responded, “One of my good friends is currently undergoing cancer treatment. I think everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer, and this is one way I can show them my support.” Dalueg has already started to collect donations, so if you are interested in contributing, please contact the school or click here.
And finally, if individuals are interested in making a monetary donation, please make all cheques payable to the ‘Alberta Cancer Foundation’ and tax receipts will be issued for amounts over $20.
Bachinsky says they are hoping to provide more fundraisers once COVID protocols ease such as bake sales, cake wars, and basketball shooting competitions. Stay tuned to the HRH social media pages for details.