St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage names new board members

 

A private campaign to raise funds for a St. Lawrence Secondary School teacher suffering from a rare form of cancer has secured more than $106,000 in less than two months, reaching its first benchmark goal of $100,000 dollars.

The We’re NUT Givin’ Up Campaign has caught fire, generating media interest from CTV and CBC, and garnering support through literally dozens of fundraising events planned to benefit Stephanie Grady, a teacher suffering from NUT midline carcinoma, an aggressive cancer that has spread to her hips, pelvis, and spine. 

In order to provide the opportunity for Grady to participate in a clinical drug trial at a cancer institute in Boston, supporters have organized events ranging from online and silent auctions to athletic events and tournaments, as well as breakfasts, brunches and dinners.

“It’s incredibly overwhelming,” said campaign spokesperson Heather Lisney, of the success so far. “It’s inspiring and very humbling.”

“Stephanie and her family are so thankful for all of the kindness and generosity shown by friends, family, colleagues and students; and also complete strangers who have been “diggin’ deep” to help her. It’s a significant relief for the family knowing they can now access these funds to help with the cost of care in Boston. It’s also giving hope and providing emotional support.”

Fundraising successes so far have included: Moose Creek 4-on-4 Hockey Tournament, $28,000; We’re NUT Givin’ Up Online Donation Campaign, $37,000; Rothwell-Osnabruck School Online Auction, $8,900; church and community donations $15,000; and roast beef/spaghetti dinners, $7,500. 

In addition, many more school and student initiatives are taking place, and individuals are also fundraising through small business ventures.

“There are still many future events planned all in support of the Grady family,” said Lisney. “Due to the nature of clinical trials, and the rarity of this cancer, exact costs are impossible to determine. Medical expenses can vary significantly depending on length of stay in hospital and the subsequent number of treatments, scans and tests required to treat this disease.”

“In addition, the Grady family will also be required to travel to Boston once a week to receive treatment for six months, possibly longer. As such, we don’t want to stop. We want to ensure the expenses are fully covered and that the Grady family is supported and secure during this fight.” 

“In addition, we want to continue to raise awareness. One of Stephanie’s biggest challenges is the lack of answers due to the limited knowledge resulting from the rare nature of this disease.”

Following countless treatments and surgeries after an initial diagnosis of lung cancer, doctors in Ottawa offered palliative radiation for Grady to help ease her pain, declaring her condition incurable. Grady and her friends were not ready to give up. 

Friends, family, teachers and other volunteers have united as “Team Grady” to create the fundraising campaign to help the 32-year-old teacher. 

The goal is to continue to raise funds to send the Long Sault resident for experimental treatments at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Harvard researchers at the International NUT Midline Carcinoma Registry are using a new drug called BET Inhibitor that has been shown to shrink, and even stop, NUT midline tumour growth in human tissue. The first clinical trial began last month in various centres in the United States. 

Grady is now eligible to receive a series of drug trial treatments at Dana-Farber for six months starting in May. Preliminary testing is scheduled for the end of April.

Upcoming fundraising events designed to help her family cover the treatments include:

• Major raffle featuring an NHL escape package (Tickets available from Rothwell-Osnabruck School, the Upper Canada District School Board, and Brockville Collegiate Institute)

• Benefit Volleyball Tournament at Brockville Collegiate Institute and Thousand Islands Secondary School on March 29 (8-5)

• Kelsey’s (Cornwall) Kickback Night: March 31

• Finch Hockey Tournament: April 11-13

• East-Side Mario’s (Cornwall) Silent Auction and Kickback: April 25

• Keystorm (Brockville) Benefit Pub-Night Social: April 26

• A five-kilometre staff/student and community race in Cornwall: May 4

[…]

Upper Canada Playhouse continued its decade-long tradition of assisting local charitable organizations with their valuable community work by do-nating an entire performance of one of their shows.

On Saturday, August 27th, some 18 organizations were giv-en tickets to the matinee perfor-mance of Not Now, Darling. The organizations included: Prescott Anglican Church of Canada, Galop Canal Revitaliza-tion Project, South Dundas Park Pals, South Dundas Chamber of Commerce, Friendly Circle Seniors Club, St. Mary’s/St. Ce-cilia’s CWL, Dalhousie Mills United Church, First Student Canada, SDG Cornwall Shriners Club, Community Living Dundas County, Avonmore Fair, Lake-shore Dr. United Church, Morrisburg Lutheran Church, Happy Face  Nursery School, La Leche League Canada, Dundas County Food Bank, Centretown United Church and MS Society.

Over the past 10 years The Playhouse has been pleased to contribute over $60,000 in tickets in support of the many different charitable organizations who in turn offer a wide variety of ser-vices to the local community.

[…]

The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry announced the hiring of Terry Besner as its new Economic Development and Communications Officer.

Besner will bring to the Counties expertise in economic development services, having held positions previously in both the public and private sector. 

“We are pleased that Terry has made the decision to join our team at the Counties,” said CAO Tim Simpson. “We interviewed a series of highly qualified candidates, but we were particularly impressed by Terry’s credentials and what she would bring to the table.”

In October, Counties Council made the decision to deliver economic development services internally after over a decade of being delivered through the SD&G Community Futures Development Corporation. 

“It was a large undertaking to bring economic development in-house, but one that Council fully supported. I look forward to working with Ms. Besner,” said Warden Bill McGimpsey.

Besner at one time worked for the SD&G CFDC as projects manager.

Besner will be responsible for spearheading various economic development initiatives in partnership with local municipalities, as well as the implementation of the Counties’ corporate communications strategy.  She will assume her new position Jan. 8, 2013.

[…]