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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.