Timmins firefighters and doctors, two groups whose professions are dedicated to saving lives, have joined forces to help raise funds for two young Timmins children, Owen Fodchuk, 20-months old and Jade Collins, eight- years old, who are both bravely battling debilitating illnesses.
The Timmins Professional Firefighters Association Inferno will square off against the Timmins District Hospital Doctors Code Blue in a fundraiser for the two local families whose children are gravely ill.
“We are glad to contribute to raising funds for the Fodchuk and Collins families,” said Firefighter Buzz Wawrzaszek. “And we hope that the generosity of the people of Timmins will rise to the occasion and help these two families.”
The game between the Firefighter Inferno vs. the Doctors Code Blue will be played on Sunday April 10, 2016 at the Archie Dillon Sportsplex at 6:30 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend.
“We like to give back to our community and help people in need,” said Dr. Rick Kvas, spokesperson for the Code Blue team.
“We also participate in funding raising drives for the Timmins District Hospital through our Face Off for Funds drive that we have had for the last four or five years,” Dr. Kvas added.
Owen Fodchuk is a 20-month-old little boy diagnosed with a very rare heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Owen had his first surgery at 25-weeks of gestation.
He has had numerous surgeries, which had required the family to travel back and forth to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. The family is currently awaiting his third stage open heart surgery.
Jade is an eight-year-old girl who was diagnosed with Leukaemia in May, 2015. She has had numerous treatments including chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Jade is currently at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto for a stem cell transplant and further treatments. Jade and her parents will be in Toronto at least until mid-summer.
In their efforts to raise funds for the two families, a silent auction and other fundraising activities will be held during the game.
“Our goal is to top our previous fund raising total of $20,000,” said firefighter Michelle Gervais who will be a member of the Inferno when the battle the Code Blue. “If we can surpass that we will be happy.”
Donations may also be dropped off at the Timmins Fire Hall on Cedar Street South just south of Second Avenue. The firefighters will even drive to your front door to pick up your donation if you are unable to drop it off.
Tickets for the game and commemorative T-shirts can be purchased at the fire hall.
Other firefighters who have confirmed for the game are Scott Atkinson, Buzz Wawrzaszek and Fire Captain Costello will also serve as the captain of the hockey team.
“We are 9-0 in our recent charity games,” said Wawrzaszek. “We beat the OPP and media teams in the past, but this will be the first time we have played the doctors.”
To arrange for the pick up of your donation, ticket and commemorative T-shirt call Buzz Wawrzaszek at the fire hall at 705-264-3589 or his cell 705-365-8828. You may also email [email protected]
The doctors and firefighters are asking leaders in the business community to donate gifts for the silent auction or a money donation to help the families.
Dr. Kvas admitted that the Code Blue has engaged the services of a couple of “ringers” for the game.
“As doctors we spend so much time tending to our patients that we don’t have the time to practice and get better at the game of hockey,” Kvas said. “We needed a little help and got a couple of people who could play the game to join our team.”
The Doctors played one exhibition game against the Timmins Flyers and beat them 1-0. They will also play in a tournament called Docs on Ice in Bracebridge this May.
Donna Robitaille, Jade Collins’ grandmother, who was at today’s announcement said her granddaughter needed a bone marrow transplant.
“It was difficult to locate a match because I have Chinese heritage in my background and my husband has First Nations ancestry,” Robitaille explained.
“We had over 200 people turn out at Northern College for a scope to see if there was a match,” Robitaille added.
One person was an ideal match and she consented to provide some of her stem cells for transplanting to Jade Robitaille said.
She hopes that the stem cell treatment helps her granddaughter, but still wishes they were able to find a bone marrow donor.
