Alliston Herald

Today's Weather

Overcast and 1°C

>>more weather info

Maija Hoggett Lifestyles

Tottenham's Betty Aldridge, left, and Alliston's Theo Vander Zaag both lost their husbands to pancreatic cancer and are now doing their best to make sure others don't have the same experience. For Vander Zaag's 50th birthday in November she threw herself a party and raised $8,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Canada, which is run by Aldridge.

Local women unite to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research

BY Maija Hoggett, Staff May 21, 2009 18:05

Theo Vander Zaag has never been one to throw herself a birthday party, but all that changed when she turned 50 and had a cause.

Vander Zaag's husband, John, died two months after his own 50th birthday from pancreatic cancer. That was January 2008 and when Vander Zaag's own milestone birthday started creeping up on her in November she decided to throw herself a party.

Instead of presents, she asked her guests to bring donations for Pancreatic Cancer Canada and promised to write a cheque matching whatever amount her guests raised.

"I couldn't think of a better way to have a really great party and to honour him," said Vander Zaag.

From the party, $8,000 was raised for the Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, $4,000 from the guests and the remainder from Vander Zaag.

"Theo came up with a really imaginative way of fundraising," said Betty Aldridge, who runs the Dick Aldridge Pancreatic Cancer Foundation and lives in Tottenham.

Aldridge started the foundation in 2004 after her husband, Dick, died from pancreatic cancer.

Since his death she has been an advocate for pancreatic cancer research and raising money for Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. With the support of the foundation, Aldridge hopes the Princess Margaret doctors can find a benchmark for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

One of the biggest fundraisers is the Dick Aldridge Charity Golf Classic, now in its fifth year. This year it's slated for July 21 at the Emerald Hills Golf Club in Stouffville.

There are four players on a team and the cost is $200 per player. The fee includes the green and cart fees, continental breakfast, barbecue lunch, awards dinner, silent and live auction and player gift.

The registration deadline is June 21. Forms are available online at www.pancreaticcancercanda.ca.

In the past year, the foundation has had several successes.

In the fall 2008, the Pancreatic Cancer Canada was created and became the fundraising arm of the Dick Aldridge Pancreatic Foundation. That move also prompted a new website to be launched, www.pancreaticcancercanada.ca. People can also call 1-888-PanCan9 for information on the disease or the foundation.

Aldridge said cards are now available in funeral homes so when someone dies from pancreatic cancer donations can be made directly to the foundation.

In October Aldridge said there will be a Princess Margaret Hospital five-kilometre walk in downtown Toronto in support of the pancreatic cancer foundation. An Ottawa chapter of the foundation has also been started.

More Alliston Herald|Lifestyles Articles

Former Tecumseth Twp. reeve passes
ALLISTON - Jim Heath, former reeve of Tecumseth Township prior to amalgamation, died suddenly last Wednesday afternoon at his Church Street North...

Learn how to draw in tourists
ALLISTON - The day kicks off with the Mayor's Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. The destination development workshop is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and was put...

Literacy council organizes "Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee"
ALLISTON - A new and entertaining community event is coming to South Simcoe. It's the first "Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee" in support of Next Step: The...

Obituary: John W. Taylor
ALLISTON - John W. Taylor will long be remembered as one of Alliston's war heroes and one of the community's most interesting and dedicated members...

Crystal clear campaign for SMH
ALLISTON – “It’s Crystal Clear” is the theme of a $1.3-million fundraising campaign being launched this month for a digital mammography unit at the...

Flag from Canada House donated to local school
ANGUS - The Canadian flag is a symbol dear to many, and a flag donated to Angus Morrison Public School last week flew at the home of Canadian soldiers...

Thornton girl making a difference, one step at a time
THORNTON - On April 17, Katherine Bradley will be lacing up her sneakers to take part the 20th Annual CN Tower Climb. Her goal for the event is to...

Parting Shots - Snowzie
Twelve-year-old Olivia Vigneault sent in a couple of photos with a note that said she loves photography and always turns to our Parting Shots feature...

Seniors open house in Tottenham
TOTTENHAM - New Tecumseth is looking to hear what seniors want for their room at the Tottenham Community Centre. An open house for seniors is being...

Ontario honours Holmstrom's historical efforts
ALLISTON - Hart Holmstrom didn't think people took notice of his volunteer work to help preserve local history, so it was a surprise when he heard the...

SIMCOE.COM is an online publication serving the communities of Barrie, Alliston, Collingwood/Wasaga Beach, Wasaga, Stayner and Orillia in central Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved. Reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission or republication of any material from simcoe.com is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from Metroland Media Group Ltd.