Local market raises funds to improve access to cancer treatment

Pictured from left are Hannah Bickell, Country Roots Fresh Market team member, Ashley Roger, team member, Sarah Nairn and Stephanie Bickell, co-owners, and Amy McLean, team member.

By Alex Hunt

Pink cookie sales and snack mix may be the answer to providing affordable parking for cancer patients.​

Sarah Nairn, co-owner of County Roots Fresh Market on Perth Road 163, has taken action to bypass the expensive parking requirements at the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at London’s Victoria Hospital. Nairn, who is diagnosed with breast cancer, understands the struggle people have to endure when travelling to receive treatment.​

“It’s expensive; it’s about $13 a day to park there and I wanted to donate something that I knew would go to patients directly. This will impact them immediately,” said Nairn. “I’ve been going through treatment for the last year and have gotten to know the nurses and patients, and most of them say that one of the centre’s biggest expenses is the parking.”​

Nairn said she and the team at Country Roots will be selling snack mix and pink cookies until the end of the month. Sales will be used to raise money to purchase parking passes for patients attending the facility. A donation cash jar will also be available.​

Nairn said patients can travel for hours to receive treatment. To accommodate the high expense of travel, she will also be accepting gas certificates and food. She said some patients who commute long distances stay overnight in hotels.​

“All of our customers have loved the idea since it hasn’t been done around here,” said Nairn. “We don’t have a set goal in mind going into this fundraiser; we are just grateful for what we can provide and what the community can give.​

“The response is very overwhelming and I’m very excited to go to the centre and deliver the proceeds to the nurses who will purchase the passes for those who need them.”​

Nairn hopes this initiative will help raise awareness about the undiscussed expenses associated with cancer treatment and the community can make a difference by donating a little bit at a time.​

“I think to better serve people coming from out of town to receive treatment is that there should be some shuttle service that is provided and that parking should be covered,” said Nairn. “With times right now, every little penny counts, and it’s appreciated. We can do it if we all pull together. It does not take $100 to make a difference; just a dollar here or there does add up to make an impact.”