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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-01-15, Page 1314 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, January 15, 2014 A little Disney magic is coming to Seaforth Whitney South Huron Expositor For the Tom and Mandy Duffy's family, times have gotten hard. After experiencing trouble swallowing and some weight loss, Tom was diagnosed with esophageal carcinoma can- cer at Stratford General Hospital on Oct. 22. Devastated, but never ones to give up easily, the Duffy's have chosen to battle the cancer with natural remedies for a chance to give Tom a little extra time. It's an expensive undertaking, but one they're ready to take on. As friends and family members began to learn about Tom's illness, the community chose to band together. In a show of support for the Duffy's, a fundraising breakfast is being held in Seaforth, to lend the family a helping hand, and hopefully a little magic. Becky Belfour's is just one of the many parents who trust their children to Mandy's daycare, and was shocked to learn about the family's upsetting news. "Tom's diagnosis hit everyone close to the family pretty hard," she said, adding the Duffy's had always been a huge part of the community, welcoming kids into their home and treating them like one of the family. The question was never whether or not something needed to be done, but what everyone was going to do. "Its difficult to know what to do when someone you know is facing such a challenge, but doing nothing is — -70 11- (7)DDEF! ICH. 52.1- 7Et I Fri & Sat 46 & 9216 Sun -Thur 7:30 L'H-T. LF L14.1&1.4 PSI Jan 17 - 23 Tlal.hirr .171om Chris Mae Cianner Kennett' rbagh ra FAA tl DT .1,E[ 11.11: SHEIOWFffCHIf CIL kbpit 4k Mnituri. 1:44Lizt. • Ccrre 141iracA Eti-iii :Lcr•r • krt-,fr, •-rirCC nivicAlcRN HUSTLE 30 Nightly :4•,- • 2n ...115,141‘ • viww.niovielinks.ca i ddosuiter1-BOD-265-3438 BREAKFAST WITH DISNEY Benefit for TOM & MANDY DUFFY 8:30 am -11:30 am Seaforth Community Centre $8 Each For 8yrs and up • Breakfast • Silent Auction • Live Disney Characters & Children's Fun Fair • Children are encouraged to dress up! Silent Auction Donation Accept by Jill McLiwain 519-527-2889 Or Madica Tan Lines Tickets at Pete's Paper Clip, Madica Tan Lines & Jillian's certainly not an option," she explained, adding the Duffy's have always been generous to charities. "Especially Mandy, who would never rest if she knew someone needed something." For the Duffy family, Walt Disney World represents a happy place where dreams come true, a place where eve- ryone can be a kid again, forget their worries and have fun. Simply put, Dis- ney is all about magic, and what bet- ter way to help than to bring a little fairy dust right here to Seaforth? After deciding on a theme, the fun- draiser began to take shape, not only put together by friends and family of the Duffy's, but also by many of the past and present parents of Mandy's daycare children. "Handing your children over to someone for a large part of their life, is a huge responsibility, but at the Duffy household, our children are treated as if they are part of their fam- ily," said Becky. "Because of their impact on so many families and kids, we wanted to make sure we gave eve- ryone the chance to come together and show their concern and support for Tom, Mandy, Jacob and Jenny." The breakfast will feature photo opportunities with Disney characters, SEAFORTH OPTIMISTS 2013 TRAVEL THE WORLD (TO & CASH LOTTERY JANUARY WINNERS Trip to San Andres Ryan & Laura Lea Garton $100 CONSOLATION • Lin & Joe Steffler • Wayne & Melita Cronin ,)/ • HAPPY TH v.YVBIRTHDAY , • %it% • GLEN CARTER Jan.18 Love Doreen, Cathy & Kevan, Larry & Colleen; Colleen, grandchildren 8( , great grandchildren children's fun fair and silent auction with items donated by individuals, as well as local businesses, something Becky says will help out greatly when it comes to fundraising. "The prize donations we have received are nothing short of out- standing and we couldn't be more grateful for the community's generosity," Due to the family having to make such drastic lifestyle changes using alternative medicine, the organizers hope the family will be able to use the funds raised to help stem some of the cost for necessary supplies. More than just about helping a fam- ily in need, Becky believes an event like this creates an opportunity for people to come visit and show their support. "When you find out someone is sick and their future is uncertain, all you have is the present. This is going to be a happy day, filled with smiles, laugh- ter and memories old and new. The breakfast will feature picture opportunities with Disney characters, a children's fun fair and silent auction with items donated by individuals, as well as local businesses. Mandy wasn't sure what Tom would think of the event, since he's usually the one wanting to help others. "I said they had to let me think about it," she said. "In the end, I laughed and said okay, so I had to tell him. It will be a day where we can for- get about his cancer and make ever - When you find out someone is sick and their future is uncertain, all you have is the present. This is going to be a happy day, filled with smiles, laughter and memories old and new. lasting memories." For Tom, seeing people in his com- munity organize an event like this is something he will never forget. "I was very surprised and humbled that they wanted to do this for Mandy and me," he said. "We are so lucky to have great caring neighbours, friends and co-workers. We have received many encouraging words from people on the streets, through phone calls, prayers and visits, and we are so very thankful." The Disney Breakfast will take place Sunday, Jan. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Seaforth Community Centre. Tickets cost $8 and are available in Seaforth at Madica's Tan Line and Pete's Paper Clip, as well as Jillian's in Mitchell. Hospital to receive new equipment QM! Agency Due to an overwhelming response from the community, the Seaforth Community Hospital will be reciev- ing a new portable ultrasound unit for its emergency room. Donations from this summer's CKNX Radiothon, as well as Christ- mas campaigns, brought in an esti- mated $29,945, allowing the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) to purchase the equipment. "We hope to have the ultrasound available to Seaforth as soon as pos- sible," stated the HPHA in a media release. "We grateful for the support received from the foundation in Seaforth to cover the costs." A portable ultrasound unit is a medical imaging device that uses ultrasound for diagnostic purposes and is smaller and lighter than the console style ultrasound machines that preceded them. In most cases these mobile ultrasound systems could be carried by hand and in some cases even operated for a time on battery power alone. Typically used in situations where space is limited or mobility is important, the machines are used in many applica- tions, including cardiac, radiology and pediatrics. Donations are still needed in order to purchase 10 new comput- ers on wheels with bar code medi- cation verification and new com- munication stations for the ER and inpatient areas, as well as other patient care equipment. To learn more about how to make a donation, or for more informa- tion, visit www.hpha.ca.