21st annual Bechthold Childhood Cancer BBQ raises more than $31,000 so far

A few weeks left to donate

Warren Bechthold hands a burger to Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen, who is joined for the photo by Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services Chief John Riches. Photo by Galen Simmons

By Galen Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There isn’t much in this world that could convince 700 people to sit outside in the summer sun for a few hours on one of the hottest days of the summer, made hotter by several very active, nearby barbecues.

Yet that’s just what the 700 people who travelled to Petersburg to support Warren Bechthold, his family and their 21^st annual childhood cancer barbecue fundraiser did, helping to raise $31,615.30 through donations and the purchase of hot dogs, sausages, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, soft drinks and ice cream from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 10.

“We are extremely grateful for all the support of the community and businesses that made this 21st annual Childhood Cancer BBQ event a success,” Bechthold said after the event was over and the money raised was tallied. “Also, for the support of family and friends that volunteered at the barbecue. Without them this event could not happen.

“With a few weeks to go yet in July, it would be really fantastic if we can meet last year's total of $35,000 because we know every dollar will go somewhere to help a child, a family or to improve research and treatment. Thank you again to a very giving community.”

Thanks to the support of local businesses and organizations like Stemmler’s Meats, Krug’s Meat Market, Ross and Lindsay’s No Frills Cambridge, the Optimist Club of New Hamburg, M&G Portables, Herrle’s Country Farm Market, Costco and Sunbelt Rentals, the event went off without a hitch, almost as if the Bechtholds have been organizing it for more than two decades.

The event even saw a few special guests including Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen, Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services Chief John Riches and Mike Farwell, host of The Mike Farwell Show on 570 NewsRadio Kitchener.

Farwell, who helps promote the Bechthold Childhood Cancer BBQ on his show, stuck around to help man the grills as part of his Farwell4Hire initiative, through which he accepts donations in support of cystic fibrosis research in exchange for doing odd jobs.

“When Warren Bechthold asks, you just say, ‘Yes, sir,’ and, ‘When do you want me there?’ ” Farwell said. “That’s kind of the way it works. He’s got such a great way of bringing people together and he’s been doing this for so long, he’s got such passion for it, it’s really difficult to pass up an opportunity to be a part of it somehow.

“ … Farwell4Hire says, ‘You make a donation to cystic fibrosis, I show up,’ and Warren made a very generous donation to my campaign. I would have come here anyway – don’t tell him that – but heck, I wasn’t going to resist the opportunity for the extra money for my charity and to support Warren’s great efforts here.”

But the big winners of the day were, of course, the organizations the barbecue supports – Scotland’s Yard (Waterloo Regional Health Network), the Children’s Health Foundation (London) and the Walk to Conquer Cancer (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto).

“I’m very proud and lucky to be Scotland’s dad; she’s doing very well now and living a very healthy life,” said Brian Santos, who spoke at the barbecue on behalf of the Waterloo Regional Health Network and Scotland’s Yard. “She is five, but for basically half her life, she was fighting cancer. She was on treatment for two years and we spent a year of back and forth, back and forth to Hamilton. As it stands in our region, if you have a child that’s fighting cancer or another major illness, they have to travel outside of our community to get the lifesaving treatment and care they need.

“What that means is travelling to Hamilton, London or Toronto. So, the goal of Scotland’s Yard is simple; just to bring care closer to home so that any child that needs help can get the help they need at home and don’t have to travel. … It would be so much easier to get care at St. Mary’s (General Hospital) or Grand River (Hospital), or hopefully soon at the new hospital that will be built. … How we’re going to get there is through community and through community fundraisers like this. … I’m past the point of being proud; I’m inspired by (the Bechthold family) and the work you’ve done. … You fill a lot of stomachs with great food and you fill a lot of hearts in terms of raising money for our community.”   

One hundred per cent of the proceeds raised through this event and online at www.bechtholdhome.com/childhood-cancer-bbq until the end of July go directly to support the above organizations. In its first 20 years, the Bechthold Childhood Cancer BBQ raised more than $318,000 in support of cancer care and research.

The next Bechthold Childhood Cancer BBQ will be held on July 9, 2026.