‘Canoe for Cancer’ social to help new chemotherapy room

Organizers of the “Canoe for Cancer” social next Wednesday at the Fort Frances Curling Club plan to donate the proceeds towards the purchase of furniture for a new chemotherapy room at La Verendrye hospital.
The room, to be built when the emergency ward there is renovated, will be used strictly for cancer patients who need a place to rest during their treatments.
The idea of earmarking proceeds from the social towards a local cancer need was spearheaded by Wendy Derendorf and Mary Ellen Crowe, who are registered nurses at La Verendrye.
They also are participating in the “Canoe for Cancer” reunion trek, which goes tomorrow through Sunday from Ottertail Rapids to Sand Bay. The 53-mile trip is a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society.
“We wanted to help make the room a little more pleasant,” Derendorf said earlier this week, noting local cancer patients now use a small emergency cubicle when receiving chemotherapy.
That room also is a multi-purpose one, used alternately for other emergency situations.
“The new one will be within 50 feet of where it is now and will be used strictly for chemotherapy patients,” noted Wayne Woods, CEO of Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc.
“Furniture is badly needed. We want to make it as pleasant as possible for people,” he stressed.
Crowe, who underwent chemotherapy treatment for cancer herself just over a year ago, said the proceeds from the “Canoe for Cancer” social would help provide a more relaxed atmosphere for patients, especially those who must undergo long periods of treatment.
Tickets for the social cost $5 each, and are available at Tracy’s Hair Studio and Sight and Sound.
The social will run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. A midnight lunch will be served, and a limo service will be offered from 11:45 p.m.-1:45 a.m.