Childcan is holding a flag raising and pajama walk in Owen Sound this month as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Community Engagement and Communications Associate Amy Mathias says Owen Sound is one of the many communities where they will be bringing attention to childhood cancer.
On Sept. 5, Owen Sound will host a flag raising ceremony at City Hall at 2 p.m.
“Everybody is welcome to come on out,” says Mathias. “The gold ribbon flag will be raised in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.”
Then on Sept. 21, Childcan is inviting people to come out to Harrison Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a pajama walk.
“The reason for the pajamas is that our kids who are going through cancer treatment spend so much time in their pajamas because they are warm and they are cozy and they comfortable and it is just easier to stay in pajamas while they are going through these horrendous treatments. It’s a day of solidarity and just a simple walk in the park to show your support for the kids who are affected by childhood cancer.”
Childcan will also be collecting donations while on the walk.
“The more money we can raise, the more money we have to give to children and their families who are affected by childhood cancer, we do that in multiple ways. Kids are affected all across our region from Windsor through to Owen Sound and when kids are affected from Owen Sound, they spend their time at the London Children’s Hospital getting treatment because that is the closest treatment centre to Owen Sound. That can cost an absolutely ton of money. A lot often a parent has to give their work, their employment to spend time at the hospital while their child is going through treatment, so the travel alone going back and forth adds up. We are there at the hospital with meal vouchers for these families so they don’t go hungry and then we also take care of utility bills and other expenses,” says Mathias.
She says across the region, they aim to raise $100,000 and with Owen Sound being a new hosting community for the pajama walk, they set a local goal of raising $5,000.
“That goal has already been beaten. I don’t know how high Owen Sound can take it, but we are sitting back watching it go and can’t wait to see what happens,” says Mathias.
More details on the walk and how to support Childcan can be found on its website here.