There's a special blood donor clinic Tuesday near Walkerton to help families whose children have cancer.
It's a Canadian Blood Services clinic with a silent auction. All proceeds from the auction go to Childcan, a London-based organization that provides financial support to families dealing with the costs associated with their children's cancer treatment.
Childcan Executive Director Kathleen Barnard said those costs can onerous especially when parents have to cut back employment because of the difficulties they face.
"From hospital parking passes to hospital meal vouchers to travel and accommodation to even helping out with household bills and medical expenses because that income is reduced at a time when those expenses are increased," said Barnard.
She added not only is the money important to the families but it's also important knowing they have community support.
"The community support is huge. For our families to know that the community is standing behind them makes a world of difference to them," she said.
This is the 15th In Memory Canadian Blood Donor Clinic led by Barbara Vandenbor in memory of her daughter Leah who died at age 15 of leukemia. The clinics have collected 2,222 units of blood and raised over $79,000 through the previous 14 silent auctions.
They have well over 100 items already donated for the Tuesday silent suction.
The Childcan blood donor clinic Tuesday is at the Knights of Columbus Hall south of Walkerton from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.