Support With Warmth

Sunday, 14 December 2014 07:08

Submitted photo: Daryl and Lynda Coles of Tillsonburg

Sunbeam has donated 500 heated throws and $25,000 to Canadian Cancer Societies across Ontario.

OXFORD COUNTY -- The Canadian Cancer Society is getting some welcomed support from Sunbeam.

Through their 'Supports with Warmth' campaign, Sunbeam is donating heated throws to cancer patients that use the Cancer Society's Wheels of Hope transportation program.

Canadian Cancer Society Oxford Manager, Janis Cunningham says the campaign is "aimed at helping people with cancer, realizing that people that are going through treatment may be some times cold, needing a little bit of extra support. They have donated 500 blankets for the Canadian Cancer Society to distribute across Ontario along with a cash contribution of $25,000."

The Wheels of Hope transportation program helped out more than 100 people last year with 68 volunteers drivers driving 76,276 km and completing 1,268 client trips. The volunteer drivers are distributing the blankets to the cancer patients using the program with some local patients already receiving the free blankets such as Daryl and his wife Lynda of Tillsonburg who were very appreciative of the gift.

Sunbeam Senior Marketing Manager, Jamie Libregts said in a release, "When we learned about Wheels of Hope and the Canadian Cancer Society’s other patient transportation programs, we wanted to help draw attention to this important cause and provide a little bit of warmth to those undergoing cancer treatment."

Cunningham says they are always looking for volunteers to assist with the Wheels of Hope program and those interested in getting involved can contact the Canadian Cancer Society in Woodstock to learn more about the eligibility and requirements of the volunteers (519-537-5592).

"Volunteers provide their cars and their time and they drive people to their cancer related appointments. And it could be here, locally in Woodstock or in Tillsonburg if that's where their appointment is or it could be London, Hamilton, Toronto. Those that are in need of that extra help and support to their appointments are provided with this transportation."

According to Cunningham, Sunbeam is accepting donations from Canadians through their website, www.sunbeam.ca. As a thank you, when someone makes a donation they will receive an online coupon code towards the purchase of any Sunbeam Heated Bedding product.

If any companies are interested in doing a campaign to support the Canadian Cancer Society, Cunningham says they'd be happy to listen to any suggestions or ideas out there and invites those interested companies to contact her at their office.