CORNWALL, Ontario – Downtown merchants are standing behind Cornwall native Elizabeth Dessureault, by spreading holiday cheer, while raising funds and awareness for lung cancer research.
Cottage Blue Home partnered with other local retailers for a ‘White Lights’ fundraiser in support of Lung Cancer Canada on Friday (Dec. 11).
“It’s nice to see our community show so much support,” said Cottage Blue Home co-owner Kayla Cuggy. “It was a full day of being really, really busy.”
Cuggy befriended Dessureault several years ago through her mom Deirdre’s local business ties.
When Dessureault, a 26-year-old non-smoker, was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer at five-months pregnant, her determination to become an ambassador for the cause found it’s way into her hometown.
Stores extended their hours for White Lights festivities, with discounts, food samplings, draws, carollers , silent auction, a visit from Santa, and plenty of Christmas lights.
Participating businesses included: Laser Advanced Spa, Oasis Hair & Day Spa, Dreamland, Kid’s Korner, Life’s Little Pleasures, ESCA, Floral Expressions, Pommier Jewelers, and Truffles Burger Bar.
“Downtown Cornwall really stepped up for this event,” said Dessureault.
Cottage Blue Home co-owner Nick McCormick agreed.
“We had a lot of donations come in from local businesses,” he said.
The 26-year-old, non-smoker, who was diagnosed earlier this year with late stage lung cancer when she was five-months pregnant, has become a determined ambassador for the cause. Dessureault was living in Fort McMurray with her husband, Dax, an RCMP officer, and working as a music teacher when she received the life-changing news.
“I feel amazing now, I’m very forunate for that, and it’s thanks to these pills that are working at shrinking my tumours,” said Dessureault. “Hopefully, one day I can be cured and this can be a little blip on my radar.”
You can follow Dessureault’s battle with lung cancer by reading her blog at fromlizzieslungs.wordpress.com.
Born and raised in Cornwall, Dessureault attended Viscount Alexander Public School and Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School.
