Curl for a Cure

Sunday, 9 March 2014 07:15

The Wood family launch a curling tournament in support of the MS Society of Canada.

Bruce and Darlene Wood know first hand what it's like to live with multiple sclerosis.

Slurred speech, loss of movement in his left arm and leg along with numbness in his right side were all symptoms Bruce experienced before he was eventually diagnosed with MS three years ago.

"I have Relapsing Remitting MS which is, in my opinion, obviously the better one to have if you're going to have MS because at least you don't have to have a constant progression of the disease, have to get into a situation where you are in a wheelchair or a walker, something that is a lot more debilitating," Bruce Wood said.

Since Bruce's diagnosis, he and Darlene along with their team, "Wood and Friends" have participated in the annual MS Walk in support of the MS Society of Canada but this year, they wanted to go one step further with their fundraising efforts.

"Wood and Friends" are hosting Curl for a Cure at the Woodstock Curling Club, Saturday April 5th to raise additional funds to use towards the team's MS Walk fundraising goal.

Darlene felt that curling was the one sport that anyone and everyone could participate in, experienced or inexperienced.

"Being involved with the curling club here in Woodstock for the past 10 years now, I've been quite active at the curling club and it's just a great sport and it's that sport that someone with MS or without MS, old, young can do so we decided to combine the curling with the fundraising efforts that we want to do and combine our monies with the MS Walk," she said.

The charity bonspiel is $200 per team of four ($50 per person) with a charitable donation receipt being issued for a portion of the entry fee. Each team will play four (4 end) games with lunch and snacks included for the participants.

The day will include door prizes and a silent auction. Spectators, or as they refer to them as, 'Fan Club Members' are welcomed and encouraged to come and watch the live action. A $10 lunch is available for the 'Fan Club Members'.

Darlene says they are still looking for help with sponsorship and prizes.

"If there are companies or individuals that want to donate either a craft that they make or a prize that they have or an item or a service that they offer from their business, than all of those things are great opportunities to donate and give to this fundraiser if you are not that avid curler."

For more information or to register a team, call Bruce and Darlene Wood at 519-421-9290 or email b_wood@sympatico.ca and dar.wood@sympatico.ca