Lakeshore Advance, 2013-04-24, Page 2828 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Lipstick loop Leni
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
Leni loved her lipstick and that is the
theme for the June 15th fundraiser
dubbed the Lipstick Loop. Leni Vernaeu-
len died on March loth after a 14 -year bat-
tle with cancer.
Anyone who knew Leni also knew she
went nowhere without touching up her
lipstick. So, when Suzi Bradshaw, son
Josh's wife, mentioned an event she went
to in Scotland, daughter Niki thought they
could tailor that idea for a fundraiser in
her mom's memory. But, it could not Just
be another fundraiser- it had to represent
Leni and her community. So, the original
creation of the Lipstick Loop came to be
with the plan being for the ladies to begin
at Aunt Gussies and continue throughout
the community loop, with a whole lot of
fun surprises mixed in. The women who
are participating, will not only have an
afternoon of comradery, okay, fun, with
other women, but they will be raising dol-
lars for an established fund through the
London Heath Sciences.
In 1995 Leni was diagnosed with breast
cancer. She was a tester for a new chemo-
therapy and it was aggressive. 'That was
quite the battle, 'Pony Vermeulen; Leni's
husband said adding she had treatments
every week for six months. Some time
later she was diagnosed again and it
ended up being inaccurate. "Always,
always get a second opinion;' warns Niki.
Leni had been a medical secretary for
many years and then went into interior
decorating operating her own business.
When she was first diagnosed in the mid
1990s, she decided to work from home.
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, May 4th
2-4pm
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Church Hall, Grand Bend
Best Wishes Only
Congratulations from
John do Rita, Harry do Connie,
Pete & Pat, Margaret & Gregg,
Joanne & Andrew and
amilies
She would later get an accurate diagnosis
of ovarian cancer. At her Celebration of
Life, so many people commented on her
beauty, her strength, her laughter and
her lipstick.
Since her death Niki wanted to do
something in her monis memory, some-
thing with real meaning. There are so
many fundraisers that result in research,
and that is good, she said, but she wanted
something tangible. The fund at the Li IS
in London is for those many people who
have trouble Jugling finances for sitters or
rides or even wigs while they go through
the medical process. "'Phis is something
very important to us," said 'limy with Niki
adding even with a cancer diagnosis, a
woman wants to feel like a woman. She
said with the cancer process you lose your
hair, your skin changes and some of that
confidence you once felt may be
gone. "When they are fighting for their
lives, they should not have to worry about
how they can afford a wig," said Niki.
Leni's family hopes this will be an
annual event and that they will raise
$50,000 this year. The participants are
asked to raise dollars and there will an
opportunity for the public to donate as
they do their 'lipstick loop:
In a serious tone and not without tears
the father and daughter explained how
New to Grand Bend and area?
Had a New Baby?
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Be sure to call...
:LCOMES
AGONin,
BMA 1910
Faye Van Oss
519-238-8048
Judi Wilson
226-393-8088
1466-8734941
Welcome Wagon has free gifts and
information on behalf of Grand Bend
& arca businesses.
www.wcicomcwagon.ca
things have changed since Leni was first
diagnosed. "At that time, in 1995 you
would see a dozen or so chairs in the wait-
ing room at the cancer clinics. Now there
are hundreds of people waiting to see a
doctor and in many cases, that doctor is
too busy and you see a student. "That is
unacceptable," says this family. When you
are this busy, mistakes are made." The
discovery earlier this month that more
than a thousand Ontario cancer patients
received diluted chemotherapy
medication has prompted the govern-
ment to clarify regulations for companies
that mix pharmaceutical drugs.
Unfortunately Leni was one of
those patients, says Tony.
Back to the Lipstick Loop,
Niki said she wants to raise
lots of money for this cause,
but she wants it to be fun
because that is what her
mom would have wanted.
She said the local businesses
have been incredible with
donations and she is still
looking for prizes and mone-
tary donations.
Parking for participants will
he at the former Thirsty Fox
parking lot, thanks to No Frills
and there will be volunteer
drivers after the event. You can
check out their site for all the
information
http://www.lipstickloop.
corn/ or e-mail infor@lipstick-
loop.com
As well as so many
community friends, Leni is
survived by Tony, son Josh
and wife Suzi, son Kyle and
wife Kim and daughter Niki
and husband Phil.
arIJ
orlIJ LIoN
BRANCH 498, GRAND BEND
BINGO Thesday - 7pm
(Age of Majority Only)
MEAT DRAWS
Friday - 5pm-7pm
ENTERTAINMENT
Saturday, April 27th 3-8pm
"D.J. BARRY SHEPPARD"
"You're only a stranger here once."
EVERYONE WELCOME
Call: Sharon 519-298-8865
NIkI with dad Tony Vermeulen explaining how Important this
fundraiser is. Leni Vermeulen at last year's HCPH Guild Gala.
1,
ft
PARK THEATRE 3o
,.GODERICH 524.7811
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Fri & Sat
6:45 & 9:15
Sun - Thur
7:30
orelps' NM
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April 26
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AGAIN"
imisumhog
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