3rd The Cove Beach Clean Up

Successful Beach Clean Up!

We had a beautiful day this past Saturday, June 23. The sun was out the whole day. We sold several cups of lemonade and made a total donation of  $56.12 to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation to continue research and fight against Cancer. We also gathered several bags of garbage. Some people used more than one bag because they found so much garbage at the beach!! The turn out was amazing! Thanks a lot to everyone who showed up, the event was a success only thanks to YOU!

Dan with his 2nd bag!

It really meant a lot to Larry and myself. This one eventwas put together with the expectation of having a good time with family and friends. Also, to share with those surfer friends and non-surfer friends in a different setting environment. For us surfers, we usually meet under cold and stormy conditions which difficult conversation and the chance to share and get to know each other better. For me personally, and I certainly hope for most of you surfers, this event allowed us to share and relate to each other on a different level and get to know a bit more of those who we surf with under extreme conditions most of the year!

For those non-surfer friends and family, a change of environment is always good to learn more about each other. Definitely, same as in the case of us surfers, this gatherings help to reinforce that wonderful bond of love and friendship. 

Who's got the garbage? Adam does...!

Another reason for us having made this event and the donation to Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation is a more personal one. I, not long ago, had to experience from first hand what it is to deal with a loved one having to face a disease like Cancer. Doctor's diagnosed my mother with Cancer 3 years ago. Only after several exams Doctors defined she had a similar disease to Cancer. It was a very rare disease that with time it's very easy to evolve into Cancer. This disease is so rare around the world that Doctor's at the best hospital for cancer in North America had very little information about and no concrete protocol to treat it. Doctors decided the best way of treating it was by applying chemotherapy and the whole procedure the same way as if it was Cancer. The months before and during the procedure were hard, but even harder were those days following the intervention. I don't know what is worse, having Cancer or the consequences of chemotherapy and medulla transplant. One thing is certain, both are things I don't wish anyone to ever have to go through.

The point is that I experienced the great service provided by this hospital to those who suffer from this terrible disease. It is not only a place of great knowledge about Cancer but also a place where they treat patients in a way I have never seen anywhere before. The patience, care and professionalism with which all patients are treated at the Princess Margaret Hospital impressed me. The services they provide not only to patients but also to family members are supportive and of great help. It is because of this first hand experience that Larry and I decided to donate the funds of our beach clean up to this hospital. Although a small amount of money, it is a symbolic donation from us Great Lake Surfers and myself to show gratitude for what they have done for me and several other families. We are all very lucky to leave in Toronto, Canada for several and this hospital is definitely one of them.

Again, thanks to all of YOU who showed up - without YOU this wouldn't have been possible. To those who couldn't make it, there's always a second chance! So I hope to see you all by the end of this summer on our 4th The Cove Beach Clean Up!

Cheers!

PS: Special thanks go to:
 
-Keana and Nailani, Larry's daughters for the Beach Clean Up signs!
-The ladies - Kat, Carla, Kim, Keana and Nailani - for offering the lemonade and telling people about the cause.
- Aurélien Bouché-Pillon for the 'Keep our Lakes Clean... Do Not Litter' signs. You will find them hanging around at The Cove. :)


Check out some of the images of our 3rd The Cove Beach Clean Up next!