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Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Tracy Dinelle began building her dream of assisting cancer patients with hospital parking fees in 2015. With the dedication and support of family, friends, and community spirited citizens Tracy has established a charity that assists cancer patients with parking fees when attending chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Since January of 2016, “Tracy’s Dream” has been utilized close to 100 times by patients attending chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. “Tracy’s Dream” continues to be accessed on a weekly basis and many of the patients who require ongoing treatment revisit Tracy’s Dream for continued support and financial assistance.
The current criteria of “Tracy’s Dream” is to support patients who are attending chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. To- date many individuals in the community have held their own fundraising initiatives to help fund the charity. There have been numerous activities, from merchants donating portions of sales from jean days, churches, weddings and funerals. There have been so many kind and generous donations that have been received and no donation is too small. Each and every contribution is heartfelt and assists patients by removing the additional stress of having to deal with the increased costs for parking
“Tracy’s Dream” is very excited to announce that based on the funds raised from the community, private donations and the success of the 2016 Algoma District Breast Cancer Calendar, they will be now be covering parking costs for blood work appointments for cancer patients; this will be in addition to the chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. This new addition of covering parking costs for blood work appointments will be on a trial basis and will be reviewed to ensure sustainability.
“Tracy’s Dream” will continue with fundraising initiatives and welcomes ongoing donations. It is hoped that with continued support and kindness, Tracy can assist more cancer patients with their additional appointments such as pic line and port maintenance, and physician assessments.
The 2016 Algoma District Breast Cancer Calendar fundraising initiative was received positively in our community; the Calendar Girls Team and all the sponsors did an awesome job producing a very beautiful calendar. Tracy is pleased to report that a total of $14,559.19 was raised. Tracy would like to express a heartfelt thanks to everyone who purchased the calendar and assisted with the selling and promotion of the calendars. Many positive connections were made throughout the process and these bonds are as valuable and necessary to realize the goals of this type of fundraiser.
Plans are underway for a “2017 Gentleman’s Calendar”. Further details will be released in the near future.
Tracy encourages people to continue to reach out to her for parking funds. Tracy has always maintained that her dream was not specifically to raise money for financial assistance for cancer patients. Tracy initiated the fundraising cause to ensure that cancer patients would be able to access parking assistance to remove one source of stress as they begin their journey.
Donations can be made through “Tracy’s Dream You Caring” page at https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-tracy-dinelle-help-cancer-patients/304439