CORNWALL, Ontario – For the fourth year, Masquer-aid has brought the community together in supprt of a good cause, the Candlelighters.
The Candlelighters provide support for parents who have children suffering from cancer. In the past four years, Masquer-aid has raised about $70, 000 in support of the Candlelighters.
“We can’t provide our services without events like these,” said Jocelyn Lamont of the Candlelighters. “We completely rely on these events.”
This year’s event was held at the Ramada Inn in Cornwall on Saturday, April 1. Jillian Oxley-Harper, one of the event’s organizers said that the event was almost sold out and that she expected 160 people to attend. Oxley-Harper expected the event to raise $25, 000 through ticket sales and their auction.
There was also a special gift basket, valued at $3, 000 being raffled off that evening. The basket contained a plush penguin, beer, wine and much much more.
The Candlelighters help with all sorts of expenses that childhood cancer treatment can incur, such has parking costs at CHEO, which in a 30 day month over a 10 month period can add up to $3, 900.
Masquer-aid was started by Dr. Raji Menan has a way to give back on her birthday four years ago. A group of dedicated volunteers have kept it going ever since.
“The most important thing we want people to know is that cancer hits close to home,” said Oxley-Harper. “In Eastern Ontario, one child a week is diagnosed with cancer. It is an incredible financial burden. More often than not, one parent has to leave their job.”
