Lambton Lions fundraising in honour of coach’s wife
For Lambton College men’s baseball head coach Al Bezaire, it’s all about gratitude.
Led by Bezaire, the Lions will be raising funds for the Bluewater Health Foundation during their doubleheader against Sault College on Sept. 20 in Sarnia. The money will go towards a current $3.7 million campaign to renovate, update, and re-develop Bluewater Health’s Cancer Care Clinic through an event called “Curveballs for Cancer Care”.
Bezaire and the men’s baseball team is hosting the event in honour of Bezaire’s wife Erika, who successfully beat breast cancer last year.
A resident of Port Lambton, Bezaire says he’s grateful for the incredible care that Erika was able to receive close to home and her supports, which he says played an instrumental role in the success of her cancer journey.
The response has been beyond anything that he could have expected when we first came up with this idea back in the spring, Bezaire says. As the event gets closer it is getting more and more positive feedback thanks to sponsors, donors, the pre-game raffle ticket sales; the response has been absolutely incredible, Bezaire says.
“I am surprised, but really, we just live in such a great community”.
During the Curveballs For Cancer event there will be a few games, contests, prizes to be won, and a penny-table style raffle with over 40 prizes to be won including a Blackstone grill, two old seats from Tiger stadium, a prize pack from the Tragically Hip, charcoal grill/smoker, signed Fergie Jenkins jersey and bat, a quarter beef, hotel stays in Toronto and London, a lot of golf certificates, etc.
If people are unable to attend and would still like to support they can donate directly to the event online through the Bluewater Health Foundation website under the “Curveballs to Cancer Care” designation.
Bezaire raves about the treatment and support his wife received at Bluewater Health.
“We didn’t have to worry about anything other than Erika tackling treatments and getting healthy. Not everyone gets those advantages when navigating illness and as tough of a road as it was, we realize just how truly lucky and blessed we really were,” Bezaire says,
Knowing the foundation was raising money to redevelop the cancer care clinic, Bezaire said his family wanted to do our part to show their appreciation, so that families can continue to receive the same exceptional care that Erika did…but in a new facility.
“Also, being a coach and a teacher I think this can be a teachable moment for our student-athletes to become involved in their communities, become active citizens, and learn the positives of working hard to benefit others,” Bezaire says.
Admission to the game is free, raffle tables will open at 11 a.m. with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. and approx. 3 p.m. for game two.