Grab the Torch

by Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association

Cha plain’s Corner

“Grab the Torch ”

BY TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER GEORGE VIGNEUX, STATION 123-C

On October 26th, 2007, my father passed away from cancer. It started a year prior with the removal of a lung, but that wasn’t enough to keep him down or, more surprisingly, off the golf course. He ultimately succumbed to brain cancer after an inspiring battle.

The following spring, a close friend of mine and cancer survivor asked me to support him on his endeavour to ride his bike to Niagara Falls in support of the Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer. Instead of donating to just one person, I thought that I was capable of doing more, so I joined the ride and set up my own team (JPV-777) in honour of my late father. It would be the first of 3 rides to the Falls in support of cancer research. It was inspiring to say the least and gratifying to help further the important cause of cancer research, which, as you know, will affect all of us at one time in our lives.

I decided to take it upon myself to diversify my charitable work and next chose Alzheimer’s disease to focus my efforts. I quickly learned people were happy to chip in a few bucks for a worthy cause. I raised the money through charity poker games, golf tournaments and hockey pools at the local pub. Next up was another worthy cause - The Ride for Heart & Stroke, which is a 75 km bike ride from the CNE to York Mills and back along the Gardener Expressway and DVP. While it wasn’t the scenic ride to the Falls, it was a unique experience to ride along two of the busier highways in Toronto and make better time than the cars the following day. The turnout for this event is incredible and emotionally motivating. At this point, I’m going to guess you recognize a common theme in my efforts, and that’s my two wheels. Cycling inspired me to quit smoking, stay in relatively good shape and was a means to an end for charitable causes.

This year, I chose to support Camp BUCKO, a burn camp for kids in Ontario, because as a firefighter, I could think of no better cause than kids facing that kind of adversity. Camp BUCKO provides an opportunity for children recovering from burn injuries to meet other children who share similar feelings and experiences, in a camp environment. The camp provides these children with a chance to share their stories and to bond with each other. Most of all, camp is a place to have fun and learn new things. It is a benefit for children in these circumstances to attend a program such as this; to build self-esteem and to cope with life beyond their burn injury.

Camp BUCKO’s Mission Statement is a fun, safe and caring camp program free to kids ages 7 to 17 with burn injuries. Their residential setting encourages campers to participate in a variety of social, recreational and therapeutic activities that promote self-esteem, the development of leadership skills, and fosters personal growth. At Camp BUCKO, kids have a place where they can be themselves without feeling different or alone.

The Camps Aims and Goals are:

• To have a fun-filled outdoor adventure. • To create a sense of community by providing a place where campers can learn about themselves and others with similar experiences. • To introduce campers to dynamic role models by including adult burn survivors as Camp BUCKO volunteers. • T o promote each child’s unique abilities and strengths as steps in enhancing self-acceptance. • To promote opportunities to learn about working in groups as well as in one-on-one interactions among peers of the same and opposite sex.

It is inherent in all firefighters to want to help people when they need it most. I’m proud to say that with the support of family, friends and co-workers, we have raised over $1000 for the camp. It’s a win-win situation all around with raising money for worthy causes and allowing other people to help out and feel they’re also making a difference. The bottom line is to get out there and set up your own events and be part of the solution.