By Surbhi Bhatia

Two young boys from Surrey, BC, have turned the grief of their mother’s death into something noble and memorable. Sahil, 11, and Armaan Sidhu, 7, who lost their mother this May due to cancer, have made it their mission to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society, by collecting empty cans.

They have already raised $16,000 in a very short span of six weeks under the campaign Cans for Cancer. Their target is to donate $32,000 to the cancer society this year. They will be present in Abbotsford on Mela Gadri Babian Da on Saturday to collect the cans.

Balwinder Kaur Sidhu, a resident of Surrey, lost the battle to esophageal cancer (cancer in throat) in May 2013. On June 27, it would have been her 32nd birthday. To do an honour to their mom, the boys and their father Sukhmunder Sidhu wanted to donate $32,00 to the cause of cancer.

Family friend Darshan Sandhu proposed the idea of collecting cans. “Balwinder died at the young of 31. After her funeral, during a conversation, Sukhmunder mentioned he didn’t know where to start with Balwinder’s dream of getting the boys involved with volunteering and helping others. There was a can of Coke on the table and I suggested collecting cans, recycling them and donating the funds to the Cancer Society. The boys agreed and wanted to collect $3200 for their mothers 32nd birthday, which was June 27th. We approached the local radio station. There was an overwhelming response from the community. The donations and cans have kept coming non-stop. We have collected over $16,000 and hoping to reach $32,000.”

“This campaign has been a wonderful therapy for both the boys and their father, who was fired from his job due to taking time off work to care for his wife. There is no woman in the household now, just their grandfather who helps care for the boys,” Sandhu added.

Indeed the boys have been working round the clock to sort out thousands of cans that are now piled up in their back garage. “Our mission spread through the word of mouth first and people started dropping cans at our house. A lot of people now come to volunteer for sorting out empty juice boxes, coke cans, and water bottles,” said Sahil Sidhu who wants to raise the funds every year.
Being a supporter of the work that his boys are doing, Sukhmander said, “I feel so proud of them. Their mother would have been so happy to see what they are doing. My wife was all about helping others. Even when she was dying, her last wish to me was to turn the boys into helpful human beings.”

Balwinder was an active PAC member and volunteer at the boys’ school, MJ NORRIS ELEMENTARY. She was very much admired and respected woman because of the time and devotion.

Now the kids are carrying her legacy of helping others. Nicola Romaniuk, coordinator, Annual Giving Fraser Valley region at the Canadian Cancer Society, said, “They are just amazing kids. It is one of those special stories that touched every heart.” Romaniuk was at Sidhu’s house to receive $16,000 cheque from the family. “The money that we have received from the Sidhu family will be going towards research and support programmes. Canadian Cancer Society is the only organization working for 250 plus types of cancers,” she said.

Romaniuk and her colleague Carissa Halley have been working closely with the family in this fundraiser. “The boys are almost half the mark. They want to collect $32000. We have also talked to four recycling locations to take the cans on their behalf. If anyone is dropping off cans, the funds get credited to the boys and Sukmunder’s fundraiser – they have to say Can4Can – that is what the fundraiser is called in their system at all four locations,” Romaniuk informed.

Cloverdale Bottle Depot – #6 17918 55th Ave Surrey – 604 576 6777 (If large quantities they will sort)
Panorama Village Return It Bottle Depot – #112 15157 Hwy #10 Surrey – 604 579 0208 (self-sorting)
Newton Bottle Depot 13245 72nd Ave Surrey 604 596 9266 (self-sorting)
Fleetwood Bottle Depot 15093 Fraser Hwy Surrey, 604 585 3544 (self-sorting)

You can also drop the empty cans directly at their house located at 6638, 130th street, Surrey, BC. The Sidhu family will also be present at the Indian Mela festival Mela Gadri Babian Da at Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford Exhibition Park on Saturday, July 6. You can also donate cheque in the name of “Canadian Cancer Society” and send it to Sukhmander Sidhu, 6638, 130th Street, Surrey, BC, V3W4J3. For more details you can contact Sukhmander at 778-862-5143.

City of Surrey Councillor Mary Martin announced Surrey’s Bear Creek Park as the newest Run location of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on Thursday. Wendy Slavin, CEO of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – BC/Yukon Region, CIBC Run for the Cure, Surrey Run Champion Jassy Braich and Sally Haysom, Surrey resident and breast cancer survivor, joined Councillor Martin in a morning event at Bear Creek Park to kick-off the ninth Run site in the province.

“It has been ten years since we launched a new Run site in BC and we are very excited to be here in Surrey, one of the fastest growing cities in Canada,” said Wendy Slavin. “Now that we have a Run site between Abbotsford and Vancouver, it will easy and convenient for those not only in Surrey, but in Langley, White Rock and other communities to take part. We look forward to building this new Run site with the community and making Surrey a huge success come Sunday, October 6th.”

“Surrey is proud to be hosting such an important event,” says Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts. “The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure will bring the community together in support of those who have been affected by this terrible disease and raise funds to provide crucial support for important research and awareness initiatives.”

For Sally Haysom, the experience of Run day is always inspirational. Sally is a five-year breast cancer survivor who has been a long-time fundraiser for the event. Every year, she travels to Vancouver to share the experience with thousands of people supporting the cause. This year, she is excited to have the event in her own backyard and rally the community to participate and fundraise. To help lead a successful event, she has also joined the volunteer organizing committee.

CIBC Run for the Cure Surrey organizers are also excited to announce the piloting of a 5km chip timed option at the event. Surrey was selected as one of only 5 Run sites in Canada to offer this Run day feature. Participants young and old are invited to sign up as runners and take advantage of this additional, optional, element to boost their Run day experience and add a competitive aspect to their event. Only the 5km run will be timed.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure is the largest single-day, volunteer-led, fundraising event dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, education and awareness programs. The event is a 1km or 5km run or walk and takes place on Sunday, October 6, 2013 with start time at 9:30am. To learn more, sign-up, donate or volunteer, visit www.runforthecure.com.