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Inaugural motorcycle ride raises money for Cancer Care, Close to Home campaign

'It is helping our friends, our family, our loved ones, and our collegues receive care here close to home, saving them that hardship of travel' campaign director Kendra Clarke.

Anna-Marie Aquino knows how stressful it is on both the patient and family members when out of town medical treatment is necessary.

When her son was just a young boy, he spent time in hospital in Toronto far away from friends and family.

Years later, he is now married and living in North Bay, but for Aquino, the experience is one she won’t forget.

“The thing that kept going through my head was that I was lucky because I was working as an educator and I had that kind of provision that would allow me to be with my son, and I felt very blessed,” said Aquino.

“But I worried a lot about people in North Bay and other communities that wouldn’t be able to financially manage or get time off work for example. And I still think about it a lot. What did these people do?”

Aquino believes the healing process is easier when the patient is in familiar surroundings.

“I think it is really important when we encounter these situations that we can be with our family and the people that we love. I think that is really important, so I am going to work as hard as I can, and so are many, many other people in our community, so we have the care they need here in North Bay.”

Marc Paxton knows first-hand the benefits of receiving treatment close to home.

Paxton was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.

“I had the head of oncology in Sudbury when I was there, and he recommended treatment here in North Bay because he said they have a great program. By staying here, I got to go to work still, my wife didn’t need to take time off work to take me anywhere, I could take myself,” said Paxton.

“When the winter months came, I didn’t have to drive an hour and a half there and back for treatment. When you are in your hometown, you are in your own space. And if you are going to fight a battle, you want to be in your own barn. So, it meant a lot.”

Being at home also makes it easier for friends to pop by for a quick visit to help break up the day.  

“My friends knew when treatment days were and they would reach out, stop by because I was close. It was just nice having everybody right here.”

Paxton made the comments while attending the inaugural North Bay Cycle & Sports motorcycle ride Saturday.

The event was organized by the Aquino family to raise money in support of the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation’s Cancer Care, Close to Home campaign.   

The campaign goal is to raise $6 million to support the purchase of medical equipment to care for cancer patients.

“That includes the two CT scanners that are already up and running, as well as equipment for the lab, equipment for surgery, equipment for telemedicine, and equipment for palliative care and end of life support,” explained campaign director Kendra Clarke.

“Last June we announced that we are at $3.7 million, and we’re planning to wrap up the campaign by the end of this year.”

Clarke says the community has been extremely generous in stepping up and supporting the foundation.

“It is helping our friends, our family, our loved ones, and our colleagues receive care here close to home, saving them that hardship of travel.”