The Trees of Caring returned to Cambridge Memorial Hospital last month for its 36 year to raise money for the hospital while honouring members of the community.
Each year the hospital gathers donations in honour of loved ones who have passed, recovered or are on the road to recovery.
"This initiative helps us spread the holiday magic and through this campaign, we reach out to the community and ask them if they'd like to honour someone special," said Kavya Nair communications and donor engagement officer with the CMH foundations.
For every donation, a little "light bulb" goes on one of the trees placed around the hospital. The hospital has moved away from traditional Christmas trees and is now using giant stickers in one of its main common areas.
For the past several years, the hospital has been raising money for a new MRI machine, but Nair adds they are looking at high-priority machines now that they have successfully purchased the MRI machine.
"Every equipment that you see around, has been donated by the community members. This campaign is our effort to begin the holiday magic and also let people know that we need in the hospital is supported by the community," she said.
Each year, the CMH Foundation chooses a member of the community who embodies the spirit of the Trees of Caring and led a life giving back to their community.
This year the fundraiser is honouring Lall Persaud, who the foundation describes as "a devoted husband, uncle and father, whose kindness touched many lives."
On the CMH Foundation website, his wife Kumarie calls him, “the thread that weaves the fabric of our family together and his life and legacy continue to inspire us.”
After moving to Canada from Guyana in 1991, Lall settled in Cambridge where he raised two children and "fostered deep connections within the community."
Lall’s battle with esophageal cancer began with troubling symptoms, but he faced the diagnosis with unwavering strength and resilience.
Kumarie recalls an emergency room doctor at Cambridge Memorial Hospital who took action, running the tests that would ultimately lead to the life-altering diagnosis of esophageal cancer.
“Like so many other people facing a cancer diagnosis, he became an expert on his disease and an advocate for improved treatments in our community," she said.
Lall would raise money for the hospital through his love of cricket and would always support the foundation in any way he could.
So far Trees of Caring has raised $152,821 of its $330,000 goal.
"The community that supports us is the reason why we have this modern equipment around to keep the comfort and care close to home," added Nair.
To learn more about how to donate to the Trees of Caring, visit their website for more information.
