A Sudbury man celebrated a special anniversary Tuesday by encouraging other city residents to buy fundraising tickets in support of the Northern Cancer Foundation.
"Today is July 20 and it's actually a very special day," said Terry Ames. He said it was exactly 10 years ago that his doctor told him he was free of cancer.
"I remember it like it was yesterday. My oncologist walked into the room after the PET scan and said 'Terry, there is no active lymphoma' I said ‘What do you mean?’ He said ‘The cancer is gone.’ I was ecstatic," Ames remembered.
He said he called his wife at home, but he couldn't talk right away because of the tears. He said at first his wife was freaking out until Ames said he was able to compose himself and tell her the cancer was gone.
Back in Sudbury, Ames was at a golf tournament put on in support of him and his family. Ames said he shared his story with the many friends and supporters who had helped him during his struggle with cancer. He said that's when he was inspired to continue fundraising in support of other individuals with cancer and their families.
"We realized not everyone has the kind of support I had," Ames said Tuesday morning at a gathering at Crosstown Chevrolet Ltd., where the newest fundraising effort was launched.
Ames said the newest effort, the 2021 Local Cancer Support Draw is taking place entirely online at www.cancersupportdraw.com.
The draw runs until Thursday October 7, 2021 at noon. The winning tickets will be drawn at 2 p.m. that day. The grand prize is a 2021 Cadillac XT5 luxury sport crossover vehicle.
Ames said Crosstown had been a supporter of the local cancer draw for several years. He said the names of the several other local sponsors are on the cancer draw website. They include Adventure 365, Bianco's Supercentre, Golf Sudbury, and Querney's in Sudbury. Ames further revealed that in the past 10 years the local draws have helped raise more than half a million dollars and has provided support to more than 250 families.
Tannys Laughren, executive director of the Northern Cancer Foundation, said the organization was pleased to be involved.
"We're thrilled to continue our work with Terry through the Local Cancer Support Draw," said Laughren. "Terry's drive and passion to help people with cancer is unmatched in our community and this draw just further solidifies that."
Tickets are for sale throughout Ontario through the online purchase site, to Ontario residents aged 18 and older.
Len Gillis is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter at Sudbury.com. He covers health care in Northern Ontario.
