BATHURST– The second edition of Walk a Kilometer in My Shoes took place during the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, under the presidency of Mr. Ronald Losier. Participants had to set a financial goal and were asked to solicit their networks in order to raise funds. On October 30th, more than thirty participants in the Walk 1 Km in my Shoes event walked for all those in our community who are fighting against cancer. They walked in honor or in memory of their loved ones.
« This second edition of Walk 1 Km in my shoes is back in force! More than 30 participants from the Acadie-Bathurst region walked 1 Km in my shoes. The financial objective of the 2021 Walk a Kilometer in My Shoes was to raise $45,000 between the four Acadie-Bathurst foundations. And here we are with a result of more than $69,000 that was raised for our hospitals, the Chaleur Regional Hospital, the Enfant-Jésus RHSJ† Hospital in Caraquet, the Lamèque Hospital and Community Health Center and the Tracadie Hospital. What a great message we are receiving from our communities who appreciate and see the importance of getting health care at home first! « This important fundraiser will allow our hospitals to purchase several pieces of equipment. As for me, I can confirm that my involvement in this cause goes beyond the money raised. I have heard many testimonies from people who have been touched by the illness and the fact that they don’t have to travel to get their care represents a big step in their fight against cancer. Donors who have supported us know that 100% of their donation goes towards the purchase of equipment in our hospitals in the Acadie Bathurst region, and this is very important! “adds Mr. Ronald Losier.
The amounts raised by region are: Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation $19,513, Fondation Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus in Caraquet $21,429, La Fondation de l’Hôpital de Lamèque Inc. $13,651 and La Fondation Les Amis de l’Hôpital de Tracadie $14,548 for a total of $69,142.
Among the participants, according to Mario Griffin who was very involved in the cause, “To walk in someone’s shoes is to put yourself in their shoes, especially for the person fighting cancer. It is an ordeal, a stress and a burden that should not be carried alone. Together with their families and loved ones, the people affected receive this support, but the community can also act. And that is why I got involved through this fundraiser. It’s a way to ease the burden to ensure access to services at home first. I did it for the cause and in memory of people who left us too soon.”
Walk a Kilometer in My Shoes is an activity organized as part of the Roses Radiothon, an event organized by the four Acadie-Bathurst Hospital Foundations. It aims to raise awareness about the fight against cancer while raising funds to improve cancer screening and treatment services at our regional hospital and to support the Acadian Peninsula institutions in their specific needs. (For more details on the equipment https://www.athomefirst.ca/majoractivities/roses-radiothon/ )
The presidents of the Roses Radiothon, Mona Losier, Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation, Joseph Lanteigne and Annie-Julie Gauvin, Fondation Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus of Caraquet, Marie-Jeanne Noël, La Fondation de l’Hôpital de Lamèque Inc. and Eric Robichaud, Fondation Les Amis de l’Hôpital de Tracadie, all agree that “For us, especially in these difficult times caused by the pandemic, this activity is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of having our health care at home first and to show them that by working together as a region, we can help our health care professionals by equipping them with state of the art technology ».