MBC News file photo
A local fall tradition is once again turning pumpkins into support for cancer care, and organizers are hoping for their biggest fundraising year yet.
Austin’s Pumpkin Patch is raising money for the Juravinski Cancer Centre, with this year’s proceeds going toward a da Vinci robotic surgical system.
The technology allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision while using less invasive techniques. The system costs about $3 million.
We caught up with cancer survivor and volunteer Olivia Hazen at the pumpkin patch, where she shared that she has now passed the five-year milestone following her own cancer treatment. Hazen said the fundraiser chooses a specific need at Juravinski to support each year.
Everything sold through the Juravinski Pumpkin Patch goes directly toward the fundraiser, including pumpkins, T-shirts, fall décor and other seasonal items.
Organizer Kim Smith said the campaign has already reached its original $25,000 goal, helped by roughly $20,000 in corporate sponsorships. Now, volunteers are aiming even higher, hoping to double that total and raise $50,000.
Smith said the robotic system can give surgeons an extra level of control during delicate procedures.
Smith said many people may not realize how much hospitals rely on community fundraising and donations to help purchase equipment, rather than those costs being fully covered by government funding. She said that was something she didn’t understand herself when she first became involved.
The fundraiser has also received support from local farms and businesses donating pumpkins, flowers, signage and other supplies
Residents can continue supporting the campaign by stopping by the pumpkin patch, located at 2587 Cockshutt Road, Waterford and picking up some fall décor or purchasing raffle tickets for the annual quilt draw.
Written by Jeremy Hall
