THUNDER BAY – Fundraising in a pandemic takes some imagination.
Across Ontario, with gathering restrictions in place, traditional events like the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundations annual Luncheon of Hope in support of breast cancer research cannot be held in 2020.
The loss of events like the luncheon leaves a major gap in annual fundraising efforts, but does nothing to stop diseases from continuing to wreak havoc on people’s health. Treatment is still needed and in Ontario, raising the money to help cover the cost of equipment, like a new mammography unit for the Linda Buchan Centre, featuring a state-of-the-art tomosynthesis and stereotactic biopsy unit.
So instead of a luncheon, the foundation has moved online and has launched the Tbaytel Art and Design Auction of Hope as a way to bridge the fundraising gap.
The auction will feature artwork, interior design services, photography, furniture, clothing and more, and runs until 9 a.m. on Oct. 26.
“We have 18 packages, all from local artists and people can bid online anytime from the comfort of their homes,” said the foundation’s Athena Kreiner.
“We decided to do an auction online because even though COVID-19 has stopped all of our events, it hasn’t stopped people from getting breast cancer. We still need to treat these people in our community. The hospital is still treating patients and the need is still there to provide diagnosis equipment and research. We knew the need was high, so we came up with another creative way so people could do it online.”
Artist Caterina Tolone, whose multi-material painting Autum Winds is one of the showcase auction prizes, said she’s known a lot of people who have gone through cancer treatments, and wanted to help out in any way she could.
It’s the perfect time to think outside the box, she said.
“When I heard that the events had been cancelled, I can’t imagine all the money they get on an annual basis. I just think this event is great. People can sit at home, look at artwork, and order whatever they like as gifts or as products for their own homes,” Tolone said.
Kreiner said the pandemic has forced fundraisers to think a little differently this year, and an idea like the online auction is a better alternative to no event at all.
The goal is to bring back the Luncheon of Hope when it’s safe for people to gather indoors. Until then, online is the way to go.
“We have to come up with creative and new ideas to raise money. We’re thinking of a few other things that will be coming up in the future, so keep your eyes open for that,” Kreiner said.
To bid on the packages, visit www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/auction.
