Welcome friends, grab yourself a ‘Cup of Joe’, pull up a chair and let’s chat about Grow On Windsor 2016
The Windsor Cancer Center Foundation kicked off its month-long campaign, Grow On Windsor, with a media gathering this morning at John Max Sports and Wings on Lauzon Parkway. Lisa and Brian Schwab are the official sponsors of this year’s events.
Grow On Windsor is a local fundraising campaign in support of cancer awareness, research and treatment for men living in Windsor/Essex.
Houida Kassem, Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, Manager and Director of Development, told the assembled media “I wish to thank our amazing community who helped contribute over $220,000 in 2015 to the Grow On Windsor Campaign, funds used locally for men’s cancer care. We know that the Windsor region is among the most generous in the country and count on their generosity in 2016 for another successful campaign. I remind everyone, that every dollar counts.”
Men, young and old, are encouraged to put away their razors for the month of November and grow beards and mustaches. This is their opportunity to look like their favorite Major League Baseball and National Hockey League stars in playoff mode.
Men are invited to register at GrowOnWindsor.com as individuals, teams, or with your family, friends or coworkers. Encourage everyone you know to pledge to support you in this month-long endeavor. Many men come up with creative fundraising events – often at local watering holes – to gather in donations for this worthy cause. Honestly ladies, the reason they’re not home is that they committed to Grow On Windsor’s success!
Kassem also reminded us “that Grow On Windsor is more than just a fundraising initiative; it supports awareness, research and treatment targeted specifically at men.” So when the guys are questioned by their friends “why the facial hair growth?” they can respond that they are banding together to bring greater awareness to the fight against cancer affecting men in our community.
I know only too well how resistant men are to embrace the necessary prevention and testing that can detect cancer in its early stages. But over 90% of prostate cancer cases are curable if they are detected and treated early enough. So yes, that yearly visit to your family physician, where he gets to know you deeper and better than most others in your life, can be a lifesaver. Prostate cancer represents almost 24% of all new cancer cases and is the most common cancer affecting Canadian men. Frightening statistics point to the fact that one in eight men will be diagnosed in their lifetime. That is why early detection and treatment is key for survival.
A second cancer men need to be cognizant of is testicular cancer. An estimated 1050 Canadian men were diagnosed with this in 2015. It is a cancer that seems to target younger men in the age range of 15 to 29, but it is also one of the most treatable cancers when caught early.
The funds that are raised help augment our existing inventory of cancer screening and treatment tools in Windsor. Bladder scanners, vital machine monitors, IV poles, brachytherapy equipment and an immobilization system used for radiation treatment are just some of the enhancements made at the Windsor Cancer Center because of the generosity of our community.
Grow On Windsor also supports the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation’s ‘Seeds4Hope’ which provides start-up funds for local cancer research projects through a rigorous, peer-reviewed grant application process. Since 2009, almost $1,700,000 has been awarded to 24 cancer research projects involving more than 60 local researchers.
So how about it guys? Let’s get involved this year in Grow On Windsor. It’s a win-win proposition for you. You get to look like your favorite playoff sport star for the month while at the same time raising some much-needed funds for your own health welfare. And, you’ll have a lot of fun doing it.
The only caution that Cup of Joe offers is to be sure to keep your ‘stache and beard’ neatly trimmed, especially when you enjoy your daily hot cup of Joe!
For more information or to register yourself for raising funds, visit online and to learn more about the great work done by the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation.
