durhamregion.com 4 The Citizen October 23, 2014 Tim Whittaker - Publisher Joanne Burghardt - Editor-in-Chief Mike Johnston - Managing Editor Fred Eismont - Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak - Classified Advertising Manager Abe Fakhourie - Distribution Manager Lillian Hook - Office Manager Cheryl Haines - Composing Manager PH 905-579-4400 CLASSIFIEDS 905-576-9335 GENERAL FAX 905-576-9335 NEWS FAX 905-579-1809 865 Farewell St., Oshawa ON L1H 7L5 Member: Ontario Press Council, OCNA, CCNA, SNA. All content copyright A Metroland Media Group Ltd. Publication thecitizen Brooklin Shoppers Drug Mart rallies around staff member battling cancer Thousands of dollars raised in support of women's health care at Lakeridge Health Parvaneh Pessian ppessian@durhamregion.com BROOKLIN -- While staff at Shoppers Drug Mart's Brooklin branch has been involved in the national Tree of Life campaign for several years, this year the initiative hit closer to home. Susan Dos Santos, a cashier at the Baldwin Street store for four years, was diagnosed with breast cancer this past summer. "Susan is loved by her colleagues and patrons of our store," said Tony Huynh, owner and pharmacist at Brooklin Shoppers Drug Mart. "Customers have noticed her absence and asked us if there's anything (they) can do to help." Shoppers Drug Mart's annual Tree of Life campaign gives customers and employees an opportunity to donate directly to organizations that make a difference to women's health in their own communities. In the last 12 years, the campaign has raised more than $23 million, with a total of 480 local women's health organizations supported last year alone. This year, the Brooklin store raised $3,759 during the course of the four-week campaign, which ran from Sept. 20 to Oct. 17. Ms. Dos Santos is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. All proceeds raised at the Brooklin store will go to the Lakeridge Health Foundation. "We've had great support from our customers here in Durham, especially since they can relate to Lakeridge because it is a local institution where they can access services," said Mr. Huynh. "This year, our turnout has been phenomenal. In our first week, we raised 50 per cent of our goal as they noticed Susan's absence." Customers supported the cause by purchasing paper cut-outs of a leaf for $1, butterfly for $5, acorn for $10 and a cardinal for $50. Each one was displayed on the store's front window to show the success of the campaign as the "tree" grew every day. "It means a lot to all of us to be able to help Susan," said Lee-Ann Bartsch, manager at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Brooklin. "They call her room the party room at the hospital because there are so many people there all the time to support her and she's met some really nice people in there too that have helped her out along the way." The Brooklin store is just one of nine Shoppers Drug Mart locations that took part in the Tree of Life campaign to raise funds for Lakeridge Health. More than $180,000 has been donated to the Lakeridge Health Foundation through the campaign since 2005. A large portion of those proceeds have been funneled to the Heather Griffith Breast Assessment Centre at the Oshawa hospital. "This is a state-of-the-art unit in Durham Region," said Lakeridge Health Foundation CEO Bob Baker. "It's close to home and I think that's one of the great things that works for people who live out here because they don't have to necessarily go far away to Toronto or to Kingston to get their care. You get better quicker no matter how bad it is when you're closer to home and your family can be around you." BROOKLIN -- Bob Baker, CEO of the Lakeridge Health Foundation, and Tony Huynh, pharmacist owner at Shopper's Drug Mart in Brooklin, attended the launch of the Tree of Life campaign in support of the Lakeridge Health Foundation. Shopper's Drug Mart staff member Susan Dos Santos is currently receiving treatment for cancer at the R. S. McLaughlin Cancer Centre at Lakeridge Health.