A new campaign has been launched in Windsor-Essex aimed at locking out women's cancer.
The Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation has kicked off the "Lock Out Cancer" initiative to raise funds for women's cancer programs and services.
People are encourage to log onto the website at lockoutcancer.com and purchase a lock which you can inscribe with your name, or a name in memory of a loved one.
The locks will be be hung around the healing garden at the cancer centre on June 3.
Lock Out Cancer Campaign kicks off in Windsor-Essex. April 27, 2018 (Photo by AM800 Teresinha Medeiros)
Two years ago, Mercedes Buhagiar-Baillie was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31. She went through 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation, a double mastectomy and is now in remissions.
"A cancer diagnosis is life changing," says Buhagiar-Baillie. "It is definitely exhausting. I once referred to it as horrifically terrifying but beautifully enlightening because you do start to realize what your priorities are."
She says the cancer diagnosis also changed her priorities quickly. "For me family and time with my husband is priceless and that's what is important to me. Life is for living and being in the moment and sharing that time with other people. Everything else falls into place," says Buhagair-Baillie.
Since the GrowOn Campaign was such a success for men's cancer, organizers felt a campaign was needed to support women's cancers as well.
A fundraising goal has not been set.