Community Rallies For Omemee Family With Teen Diagnosed With Cancerous Brain Tumour; GoFundMe Set Up To Help Offset Costs

Omemee and 16-year-old Angela Brooks is in the fight of their life as she is undergoing chemotherapy for a brain tumour revealed to be a cancerous suprasellar germinoma.

A GoFundMe goal of $15,000 has been set up to help cover costs such as travel, home expenses and wages lost due to Brooks’s mother going on critical illness leave for the past four months to take care of her two sisters and one brother.

Just under $13,000 has been donated from the community to help in Brooks’s GoFundMe page. Photo courtesy of Ashley Megan.

Brooks has been ill for two years with her brain tumour discovered in April. When her biopsy revealed that it was a cancerous suprasellar germinoma, Brooks had to undergo 12 rounds of chemotherapy and two-and-a-half weeks of radiation over the next five months in Toronto at SickKids Hospital according to the GoFundMe page. The family has had to regularly travel back and forth between Toronto and Omemee to monitor Brooks’s health.

Earlier this month, Brooks had a septic infection from her peripherally inserted central catheter line and was hospitalized at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

She was able to come home after spending two weeks in the hospital but could not receive chemotherapy until her blood count went back up. Once it does, Brooks could handle more chemotherapy sessions according to her mother, Ashley Megan. She was due for her final stage of chemotherapy last Monday had everything went to plan.

Megan reported that Brooks’s counts were up on Wednesday on her Facebook account. The teen could get her 11th round of chemo as a result. Brooks is nearing all cancer treatment including radiation.

The GoFundMe created by Mat Wood has raised almost $13,000 of the $15,000 goal with 119 donations. It began back in April and is expected to run into August.

“The family has lost count of how many times they have had to stay in Toronto to be by Angela’s side in her fight,” said Wood. “It has been a long, hard, and emotional road for this family.”

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Peterborough Kia to Host Inaugural Car Show to Support Kawartha Food Share and YMCA

Get into Peterborough Kia’s first annual classic car show to be hosted at their dealership this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Event flyer of Peterborough Kia’s first car show. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Kia.

The dealership is located at 238 Lansdowne St. E.

The show features classic cars from the 60s and 70s and is providing live music and a 50/50 draw.

Proceeds of the event are going to Kawartha Food Share and Peterborough YMCA.

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The 21st Annual Hike for Hospice Fundraiser Is Open For Registration

It’s time to get your feet moving as registration for Hospice Peterborough’s 21st annual Hike for Hospice fundraiser is now open and scheduled for Sept. 10 – 17, announced on Tuesday.

Last year, the event raised a record-breaking $100,000 with over 150 participants and sponsorships. File photo.

The fundraiser helps fund the Hospice to keep end-of-life and bereavement support free in Peterborough and the County while offering a space to remember and honour loved ones who have died.

Participants are welcome to walk, run, cycle or move in any way to raise funds for those seeking hospice palliative care or grief support. The hike also provides opportunities to connect virtually through activities that encourage participants to pause and remember those who have passed, reflected in the event’s motto: ‘Who are you hiking for?’

“It’s a beautiful event and different every year,” said Mary Blair, Hospice co-chair.

“What’s really impactful is how the event becomes an opportunity to remember loved ones who have died. It can be very moving,” said Heather Easton, co-chair.

Since moving to a virtual platform, Hike for Hospice has seen participants from between the east coast and west coast, participating in creative ways such as kayaking with their families or rowing a kilometre for every $10 raised.

“It’s a highlight of the year,” said Hajni Hős, Hospice executive director. “We are so incredibly grateful to those who participate each year to ensure hospice care remains accessible to everyone. We truly could not do what we do without you.”

More information on the event, registration and fundraising can all be accessed at easypledge.ca/hospice-peterborough.

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Douro's Cody Crowley Nearing $55,000 Pledge Through Team 55 For CMHA To Raise Suicide Awareness

Douro Boxer Cody Crowley has almost reached his fundraising goal of $55,000 through the local suicide initiative Team 55 for Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of CMHA.

At the start of the year, Crowley and his family pledged to raise $55,000 for Team 55, which supports CMHA HKPR’s Assertive Outreach for Suicide Prevention program (AOSP). The program connects with individuals who have had a suicide attempt and helps them establish a safety plan and connect to support services according to a press release.

In March, Crowley raised $20,000 through a local viewing party at Dr. J’s BBQ and a raffle for two to fly to Las Vegas to attend his match in the Welterweight Title against Abel Ramos.

Last Saturday, Crowley and his family hosted an inaugural golf tournament, the Heart Opener, at Keystone Links in memory of his father, Jim Crowley and Michael Wood. The event saw over 100 golfers and raised over $28,000.

“On top of how successful both of these fundraising initiatives were, the biggest impacts have been the connections that have been formed within the community and the continuation of my own healing from my father’s passing,” said Crowley. “ A lot of love has and will continue to be exchanged as we heal together as a community and prioritize mental health and wellness.”

Individuals can donate by going online and selecting ‘Cody Crowley Campaign,’ from the drop-down menu.

“Let’s continue changing the narrative around mental health and working together as a community to make resources accessible to all,” said Crowley.

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Video: Cody Crowley Hosting Inaugural Team55 Tackles Suicide Golf Tournament Fundraiser For July 8

As part of Cody Crowley’s pledge to raise at least $55,000 for Team 55 Tackles Suicide initiative, he is hosting his inaugural charity golf tournament at Keystone Links Golf on July 8.

@ptbo_canada ♬ son original - FIGHTER 🥊🔥

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Trent University's 17th Annual President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament Fundraises For Student-Athlete Scholarship

The 17th Trent University President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament saw 76 golfers hit the links at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

Trent University kinesiology graduate Grace Sanderson making a putt with onlookers cheering her on to help kick off the 17th Annual President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament. Last year’s event took place at the Quarry Golf Club. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The fundraising event is for Trent Excalibur Green and White Scholarship Fund. It is awarded to exceptional first-year student-athletes at Trent University who have an 80 per cent (or above) average The event’s annual goal is to raise at least $50,000 annually. Over $575,000 has been raised through this tournament for the fund.

The day included 18 holes of golf, a barbecue lunch, a golf gift, on-course refreshments, a silent auction and dinner with an awards presentation.

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Celebrate Summer Solstice with Right to Heal at Farmhill Weddings

Right to Heal Peterborough invites the community to experience a Summer Solstice event at Farmhill Weddings on June 20– where Heaven and Earth unite on the longest day and shortest night of the year.

photo courtesy of right to heal.

“Summer solstice is a time to honour the sun, and our ancestors celebrated these times in the Wheel of the Year with community gatherings,” explained Liz Shaughnessy, organizer with Right to Heal.  “We planted our seeds of intentions in the spring, and the springtime is a time for action. Summer is the time of nourishment and to take care of the things we planted.”

The fundraising campaign focuses on community healing, with all proceeds going towards funding the Right to Heal organization.

“Right to Heal was born as a way to bring funding to our area to help people who are struggling,” Liz explains. “My mom has been fighting for 20 years for this to happen, so that’s also why we’re doing this fundraiser.”

“It’s a time to reflect on the first half of the year, set your intentions for the summer, and sunset meditation. Then we end the evening by letting go of what no longer serves us during a powerful fire ceremony,” she continued. “That’s why (the event) is happening on the summer solstice, because we’re looking to nourish our community and to get excited about what we’re trying to achieve locally. We are helping the people on the streets, or those that are hiding behind closed doors who people don’t know have an addiction.”

Those interested in this event can celebrate Summer Solstice with Right to Heal at Farmhill Weddings (2709 Dillon Road, Peterborough) from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 21.

The summer solstice is a sober event, and will feature a guest speaker who has been through Right to Heal’s services, as well as raffles from local businesses and a number of outdoor activities including a sunset meditation.

For tickets and more information visit the link.

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Third-Annual 'Be a Saint" St. Joseph's At Fleming Golf Fundraiser Tournament In Full Swing

Roughly 80 golfers hit the links at the third-annual "Be a Saint" St. Joseph's at Fleming fundraiser at the Quarry Golf Club on Thursday afternoon.

Celebrity golf entertainer and instructor Todd Keirstead getting the trust of Jennifer Armstrong as he rockets a tee shot off her as one of his many trick shots. Keirstead was a guest entertainer at the 15th hole at the Quarry Golf Club. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

All proceeds go towards St. Joseph’s to upgrade its infrastructure since the long-term care home is roughly 20 years old and needs work according to administrative coordinator Sarah Cox.

“Being a building that runs every day of the year, 24/7, there are some capital upgrades we need,” she explained. “Flooring, our HVAC systems, new technology, medical equipment, things like that are what we are trying to raise money for the 200 residents that live at St. Joseph's.”

@ptbo_canada ♬ Golf

Cox said last year’s event raised roughly $26,000 and aims to meet if not exceed that goal for the tournament’s third inception. The ultimate goal over the next few years is to raise $3.5 million.

“We're about $1.6 million into that so there's still a few years to go,” said Cox. “We do different fundraisers all year around, Christmas mailings, stuff with the families at St. Joseph's to get them involved. Just different fundraisers to raise money towards that $3.5 million.”

A silent auction was held after the tournament as an additional source to raise funds for the not-for-profit long-term care home.

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Peterborough Humane Society in ‘The Home Stretch’ of Ongoing Our Pet Project Capital Campaign

The Peterborough Humane Society has launched ‘The Home Stretch’ campaign to raise the $3 million needed to meet the Our Pet Project capital campaign fundraising goal for the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre at 1999 Technology Drive.

Photos courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

PHS moved to the new location in January 2023, with a grand opening celebration planned for June 24. However more funds are needed to bridge the gap and meet the organization’s campaign goal. To date nearly $10 million has been raised; the remaining $3 million will be used to pay off the construction loan.

“This centre was built for the community, by the community. We are close to our goal, and need some additional support to close out the fundraising gap so we can dedicate all of our efforts and future funding to go directly to the care, programs and services for animals in need,” said Shawn Morey, executive director of the Peterborough Humane Society. “We are incredibly grateful to all our donors that have helped us along the way. Our community’s amazing support has helped us make this decade-long dream of becoming a premier animal wellness organization a reality. This home stretch will allow us to finish the project, and allow us to set our sights on supporting more animals and individuals for generations to come.”

The move from the original 6,000 square foot shelter on Lansdowne Street to the 24,000 square foot Centre on Technology Drive in Peterborough has allowed for a Canadian-first with three programs under one roof; the Adoption and Education Centre, Peterborough Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic and the Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre run by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.

Since the move less than 5 months ago over 200 animals have been adopted, and over 1000 have been spayed/neutered with 13 dogs being rehabilitated.

“We have already seen a tremendous impact on our community since moving into our new facility, and we are hopeful that more donors will join us to allow us to reach our goal, and allow us to provide even more programs and services to support our local and regional communities,” concluded Morey. “We encourage folks to come and visit the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre. Our doors are open, and we look forward to continuing our organizational mission within this incredible new Centre. We’re in the home stretch– but our commitment to improve animal wellness will never stop.”

Donations can be made online, over the phone or in-person at PACC (1999 Technology Drive). Naming opportunities and major gifts can be discussed with Si Grobler (manager of donor relations) at s.grobler@ptbohs.com or 705-760-4451.

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Second Annual Gary Dalliday Memorial Golf Tournament Hits Peterborough Golf & Country Club Aug. 14 In Support of Community Care Peterborough

The launch of the second annual Gary Dalliday Memorial charity golf tournament has been set for Aug. 14 at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club in support of Community Care Peterborough announced on Tuesday morning.

Last year’s inaugural event was held at the Quarry with 99 golfers and raiser over $20,000 for COmmmunity Care Peterborough. Dalliday passed away on Aug. 10, 2018. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s event welcomes 144 golfers to participate at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club, a change of venue from last year’s event which was held at the Quarry.

“We wanted to have the tournament here then Covid hit,” explained Pete Dalliday, son of Gary. “The Quarry was great last year and we appreciate what Doug and everyone did but I think it was always meant to be here.”

Proceeds will go to the Community Care’s Meals on Wheels program. It provided food to seniors living alone, adults with disabilities unable to cook or get groceries or recently discharged patients from hospitals. Dalliday often delivered meals on the organization’s behalf for the program. The money raised will also go towards the Caremoblie program that provides accessible transportation for seniors or adults with disabilities in the City and County.

About $20,000 was raised from last year’s event and this year’s goal is looking to get $30,000 according to Alicia Vandine, Community Care donor relations.

“We only receive about 50 per cent of our funding from the Ontario Government so as you can imagine, fundraising is as important as we're seeing the need for seniors really increase,” she said.

Participating golfers will receive 18 holes to play at Peterborough Golf and Country Club, a barbecue lunch, dinner and a chance to win prizes at a silent auction.

Registration, sponsorships or auction donations can be made online at the Community Care’s website.

The tournament’s idea spawned from his grandson Nick who previously did a placement with Community Care.

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