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When your Mom has breast cancer, fundraising hits close to home

'Showing support really boosts our spirits. I know my mom really appreciates it, and it has helped her get through the tough times' Steve Merkley

It's been a tough year and a half for four members of the District of Nipissing Paramedic Services. Within that short period of time, each would learn their mother would be battling breast cancer, two of them diagnosed within the past few months.

Wanting to somehow ease the burden their co-workers were experiencing, their 'work family' put their energy towards something positive. 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and with that in mind, the service initiated an internal campaign to raise awareness and research dollars.

It actually began in September with the sale of pink epaulets which are being worn on their uniform. They also joined forces with organizers of the CIBC Run for the Cure to help with that event.

"From there it really started to pick up and everyone was really in support of the campaign and they wanted to do a little bit more. So we created the full pink shirts to go out with a bang in October to create a little extra awareness and help us with our fundraiser," says Blaine Leblond, Advance Care Paramedic.

Paramedic Supervisor Steve Merkley appreciates the work that continues to be done on this campaign.

"It just shows people, obviously like my mom, the support that we can provide to them. It hits home for me because for the last year it's been extremely tough, but just stuff like this, showing support just really boosts our spirits. I know my mom really appreciates it, and it has helped her get through the tough times," says Merkley.

"Some days when she might be having a hard day, just showing this positivity helps her, but also helps the rest of the family like myself. It helps out a lot."     

While the campaign is primarily in-house, a new entry has been created on the District of Nipissing Paramedic Services facebook page, with a link for anyone wanting to support their efforts.

"We've shared that a few times to try and get some support from the public. We've had a few donations and we're hoping to connect the public to the link and maybe get a few extra donations as we get close to the end of the month. However much money we raise for the Breast Cancer Foundation is appreciated," says Leblond. 

The service is already committed to helping the CIBC Run for the Cure next year, and will continue to create fundraising activities on an annual basis.