Eric Vriend of Eric's Army and cancer survivor Phil Dixon present the donation cheque to Dr. Margaret McNeely. (Photo supplied.)
On Wednesday, November 22, the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, in partnership with the Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) program, hosted a fundraising event in support of the University of Alberta's Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic. The event, held at Blues on Whyte, featured local band Sam Spades.
Thanks to generous donors, the total raised at the event was $12,592 and donations are still coming in. Donations were collected at the door, and Sam Spades contributed their CD sales at the event to the cause.
Eric Vriend of Eric's Army, a local group "dedicated to being a positive influence in the lives of those around them" gave $1,170 to the cause. Vriend is a young man with Down syndrome, and he and his family own Eric's Gym in Barrhead, AB, which aims to provide an inclusive environment for all those who want to improve their health through exercise.
The event was such a success that the management at Blues on Whyte have offered to host the group again next year.
Local band Sam Spades performed. (Photo supplied)
The Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic provides space for clinical research studies in cancer rehabilitation, including research examining the benefits of physical therapy and therapeutic exercise for cancer fighters and survivors, and serves to train and provide learning opportunities for graduate students interested in the cancer rehabilitation field. Dr. Margaret McNeely, associate professor, Department of Physical Therapy, is the clinic director.
The funds collected at the Nov. 22 event will support survivors who have taken part in the ACE program, which is a free 12-week community-based exercise program designed specifically for individuals undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment. The funds will support ongoing programming for survivors living with active cancer or dealing with late effects of the treatment, and for those going on and off cancer treatments.