Nobleton garage sale raises funds for a cancer centre

May 27, 2015 · 0 Comments

Victoria Day went out with a big bang for the Pink Tree Foundation Charity Garage Sale held in Nobleton. Masses of people swarmed in to swoop up amazing bargains on hundreds of new and used donated items, while children enjoyed getting face painting and temporary tattoos.
The event raised over $2,500, which will be used to help Pink Tree Foundation achieve their mission of building a Cancer Wellness & Retreat Centre in the area, and to help advance cancer research through the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
The centre will be a comfortable and relaxed drop-in support centre for individuals, families and friends who have been touched directly or indirectly by cancer. It will be a safe place where they will be able to speak to others who have already been on the cancer journey.
By sharing experiences and offering inspiration through individual and group support, we can help strengthen, encourage and uplift those who have been hit with the news of cancer.
The Foundation is the brainchild of Amanda-Crystal, who said: “Cancer patients, survivors, friends and family will be able to attend, free of charge sessions to get answers and learn skills that will help relieve some of the stress that is part of their cancer journey. Sessions will have both an educational and a therapeutic component through tranquil workshops and support discussions; yoga, preventive medicine, holistic healing, healthy eating, nature walks … to assist in learning how to restore a healthy and positive way of living.”
This Cancer Wellness & Retreat Centre will provide a place and opportunity for people of all ages to open their hearts by connecting with others who have travelled in their shoes. A relaxed place where people can spend time with new friends, exploring what is really on their minds while deepening their understanding and feelings about cancer. A support centre to connect, re-energize and laugh again. A place where adults can be empowered once again, where youth can see that they are not alone and where children can learn to be children again!
As Teresa, breast cancer survivor and inspiration for Pink Tree Foundation said: “One of the key things I learned on my journey is that it’s really important and helpful to connect to other people who have a personal understanding of the challenges related to Cancer. The fact is that once you hear the big C word, your life changes forever. A support centre would have helped people such as me transition into my new unpredictable reality of living with cancer.
“As a single mother I would have loved to have had a place where I could have spoken to others who knew what I was going through and discuss the endless emotions and questions I was experiencing. I’m sure my children would have benefited from it as well.
“While the Toronto hospitals treated me, when I was diagnosed four years ago, with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, I would have welcomed a place that was in my geographic area, so that I could have focused on my treatment and recovery. I was limited on how many information sessions I could attend in Toronto because my energy and my finances were already being zapped.”
York Region houses over one million people, yet there are no categorized support group centres for cancer patients, survivors and their family in the area.
Pink Tree Foundation is working on changing that. They plan to do this through various fundraising opportunities and events such as the Victoria Day Charity Garage Sale and the upcoming 3rd Annual Home Run for the Cure: Slo-Pitch Softball Tournament & Charity BBQ taking place this year in Nobleton Sports Park and King City Memorial Park on Saturday, June 20 and (Father’s Day) Sunday, June 21. They also raise funds through business sponsorship.
They encourage people to get involved to help in their mission and bring life back into the lives of those touched by cancer.
As Amanda-Crystal said: “It is within each individual’s power to make a positive change in the lives of those who need our help. We do this all in loving memory of those we have lost and those who continue to fight.”
The vision for the Centre is in a rural setting to host programs, workshops and informal discussions that will address the psychological, physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of those who are going through their own cancer journey. A location that offers space to reconnect with nature, stillness, simplicity and peace, that can be expanded to provide overnight retreats for adults and outdoor adventure camp for children.
For more information or anyone interested in donating or volunteering their time contact Pink Tree Foundation at www.PinkTreeFoundation.ca or call 416-731-4241.
You can also follow them on Facebook.com/PinkTreeFoundation, Twitter and Instagram.