Local sign campaign for breast cancer goes national
The 2021 'Pink the Towns' campaign to support breast cancer awareness and research is expected to far exceed its 2020 fundraising total.
The initiative coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which begins October 1.
The Pink the Towns campaign includes merchandise, clothing and lawns signs.
This year 5000 signs will spread the message created by a Dorchester woman.
Bec Mathews has a smile as she reflects on public support for Pink the Towns.
"So much love. It’s unbelievable,"
Matthews started 'Pink the Towns' under its original moniker ‘Paint the Town Pink’ during the summer of 2020.
Battling Stage III Breast Cancer at the time, she was in her backyard when the idea popped in her head.
What followed was an order for 800 lawn signs that sold out. A second-order, of 400, was also snapped up quickly. Most supporters were in Dorchester, Middlesex County and London.
The result was a donation of over $13,000 to the Canadian Cancer Society.
It was a rewarding moment for Matthews, who was still undergoing cancer treatments at the time.
Fast-forward a year, and Matthews says she is on the road to better health.
"I’m just happy. I’m just happy the worst is behind me."
So, in celebration, she grew the Pink the Towns campaign online.
The result is a national response.
"We are out in Nova Scotia; we are in New Brunswick. You could do the whole map and there is a sign in someplace."
But, the effort has not been without its challenges. Matthews relies on a dozen volunteers; she says are getting tired. She hopes more people will soon step up to help reach a much loftier goal of $80,000 to $100,000.
Matthews says it is not unreasonable given $30,000 has already been raised.
To make it Matthews will need to run out of signs again.
Still, she reminds the public, raising funds is only half the message of Pink the Towns.
She says the other point is awareness, especially for young women.
"Our goal is to get these young women in the habit of checking their breasts regularly. October is breast cancer awareness month, so we want them to check their breasts. Get in the habit of doing it, 'cause we have women who are 21 in our online groups getting breast cancer."
To volunteer or order a sign, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.