Tomorrow (September 20) marks the eighth birthday of Sophia Hvidston of Canora. Since having been declared in remission from her acute lymphoblastic leukemia over two years ago, she has been free to enjoy her birthdays to the fullest extent.
Her mother Shanna said Sophia has received strong support in this fight against cancer ever since her diagnosis at the age of three. Shanna and Sophia’s father, Barry Hvidston, are members of “Small but Mighty SK,” a group of children and their families who are fundraising and battling pediatric cancer.
“When we found out how little funding goes to research, we were shocked,” said Shanna. “This is a way to give our “kids” a fighting chance.”
The group is financially supported from a number of sources, including a Canora-based business.
“Silver for Gold” is the charitable fundraising arm of EcoGenX, an agricultural recycling business owned by Dallon Leger which started in the spring of 2017.
“As soon as the business got going, it was important to me that we give back to the community,” said Leger. “I had met the Hvidston family at a winter sno-pitch ball tournament, and decided to support kids dealing with cancer.”
“Silver for Gold” has been collecting pop can tabs to help raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer since 2017.
“In our first year we collected one million tabs,” reported Leger. “We doubled that in the second year, and then this year we collected four million tabs from around the province with a total weight of about 3,300 pounds. JK Metals in Broadview paid 60 cents per pound, which worked out to $2,000.”
Each year, “Silver for Gold” is part of the Gold Walk in Saskatoon, hosted by “Small but Mighty SK,” which was co-founded by Jenn Lyster.
“With only five per cent of all cancer research funding in Canada (both private and government funded) directed to childhood cancer research, we feel supporting research efforts is key to seeing change in the care of our children,” said Lyster.
“Silver for Gold is an incredibly important initiative in supporting our fundraising efforts. By doing something simple, collecting tabs, Silver for Gold encourages others to take action in the fight against childhood cancer. Silver for Gold has raised thousands of dollars for childhood cancer research. Small But Mighty SK is so thankful for the unique collaboration.”
This year’s Gold Walk was held on September 7 in Saskatoon and involved approximately 500 people.
“September is childhood cancer awareness month,” explained Leger. “Gold is the colour for the month, and participants walk through Saskatoon dressed in gold, raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer.”
Leger said the event raised a total of $31,000 this year, including $6,000 from “Silver for Gold.” In addition to the $2,000 for the pop can tabs, Leger raised $4,000 in cash sponsorship from several Saskatchewan businesses, including Ridge Runner Construction of Springside.
Leger said the idea for collecting pop can tabs as a fundraiser came from a fond childhood memory.
“As a kid I remember collecting pop can tabs for wheelchairs, but that isn’t done much anymore,” recalled Leger. “I wanted to have something that can be collected by both children and adults, and where the kids can get excited about it and really feel like they’ve accomplished something.”
This past year, Sophia Hvidston collected a total of 170 pounds of pop can tabs for a return of $102. Shanna Hvidston said her daughter has embraced this fundraising idea wholeheartedly.
“She’ll pick them up all the time as she sees them when we’re out walking,” said Shanna. “And she just gleams when her friends collect them and contribute to the cause.”
Shanna said there were other families who shared their stories regarding the importance of the “Silver for Gold” campaign at the Saskatoon event.
Gale Granrude Gariepy said she and her family were collecting tabs in memory of her son.
“Mason passed away on Nov. 25, 2017 of acute myeloid leukemia,” said Gariepy. “This program is important as these tabs represent the many families like ours that have been affected by cancer.”
Marla Bachman said she was involved for her son Joel.
“Joel was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017,” said Bachman. “While he is doing great since the treatment, it is our responsibility to make others aware that cancer does affect children. Collecting tabs is a fun and easy way to get the conversation started and raise funds for research and hopefully a cure.”
Leger said getting involved is relatively simple. Pop can tabs can be collected in any bag, box or other container and dropped off at the RM of Keys office in Canora. Anyone looking for more information may contact EcoGenX.
After four million tabs were collected this year, Leger has put out a challenge for Saskatchewan to bump that total up to six million tabs for 2020.
