Tree of Hope will devote funds to health education for children

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After 20 years of funding cancer treatment, The Tree of Hope is taking a new direction over the next three years, contributing 20 per cent of the funds it will raise to cancer prevention programs aimed at kids. Campaign chairman Martin Latulippe says it's in recognition of the fact studies suggest almost 70 per cent of cancers can be prevented with healthier lifestyles.

The annual Tree of Hope Campaign is organized by the Dr. Georges L. Dumont Regional Hospital Foundation. The grass roots effort normally generates funds for the continued development of the Dr. Léon-Richard Oncology Centre located at the hospital, the improvement of patient care at the adjacent Mgr. Henri-Cormier Lodge and the promotion of cancer research efforts through the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute.

With a powerful statistic like that 70 per cent, the fact New Brunswick is the country's most obese province and the "key statistic that one out of two people will be affected by cancer in the next three to five years," Latulippe suggested investing some money in public education was an logical decision.

He says they will take a page from what the environmental movement did so well 15 to 20 years ago, getting the message to the young as an investment that will pay off in the future.

The campaign runs until Nov. 27, capped off by the annual English language radiothon on Nov. 26 and the French language radiothon on Nov. 27. Both will take place at NBCC Dieppe. The goal this year is $1.6 million.

Since its inception in 1989, the Tree of Hope Campaign has raised over $10 million.

Every year, 4,500 New Brunswickers are diagnosed with cancer, with the Dr. Leon-Richard Oncology Centre treating approximately 1,500 new cancer patients and offering nearly 25,000 radiotherapy treatments and 5,000 chemotherapy treatments.

More than 50,000 visits are registered each year. For more information on the 2009 Tree of Hope Campaign and to submit online donations visit www.treeofhope.ca