Burlingtonians contribute more than $3,900 to cancer care and research.

By Pepper Parr

September 8th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

“Burlington was part of a national moment, where people came together in parks, community centres, restaurants and living rooms across the country to honour a beloved band and raise money to combat cancer,” said Marianne Meed Ward, Ward 2 Councillor, and co-chair of the event planning committee.

A reported 12,000 people took in the CBC simulcast of the Final Tragically Hip concert that was shown at at Spencer Smith Park.

“The people of Burlington responded very positively to this event. It was like no other in recent memory”, added Brian Dean, General Manager, BDBA, co-chair of the planning committee. “Attendees were very generous to our local charitable partners and responded to Gord Downie’s heartbreaking diagnosis by going out of pocket to support local cancer care.”

Hundreds of Burlingtonians also added their personal thoughts to a “book of well wishes” set up at the event.

The book has been available for signing at the lobby of City Hall and Tourism Burlington office post-event. The book will be officially closed at the community donation ceremony and sent to the agent for The Tragically Hip.

The presentation is to take place at city hall Monday September 12th at noon in the atrium.

The CBC simulcast at Spencer Smith Park was financed through a cost-sharing agreement between the City of Burlington and the BDBA. A significant number of community partners also lent their time and talents to the execution of the event.

Gord Downie performing at his final concert.

Partners will be present at the community donation ceremony. Total costs for the event were approximately $22,000, under the projected budget of $25,000. The City and BDBA equally committed up to $12,500; the Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Office and Councillor Meed Ward’s office also contributed $1,000 each.

More than a reported 12,000 people crowded into Spencer Smith Park on August 20th to watch the CBC simulcast.

Donations to  Joseph Brant Hospital Cancer Clinic and Canadian Cancer Society – Halton Branch  amounting to  $3900 was collected.  The funds will be split with 50% given to each organization.