Rib roarin’ event
Caleb’s Courage, Cancer Patient Care Fund to benefit from this year’s RibFest
For the past three summers, Sydney RibFest has taken Cape Breton by storm. Often referred to as ‘THE event of the summer, this weekend-long event is fun for the entire family. This year will see the fourth annual event, planned and executed by the four Rotary clubs in the CBRM (Sydney Sunrise Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Sydney, North Sydney Rotary Club and New Waterford Rotary Club).
The event has drawn tens of thousands of people to the former Sydney Steel plant site, now fondly known as the Open Hearth Park. The event has given families a place to take children and has opened up our eyes to the wonderful world of barbecued ribs.
Aside from creating an event for all ages, the Rotary Clubs of Cape Breton have successfully planned and executed an exceptionally successful fundraising experience.
Sydney RibFest, in conjunction with the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County, has raised an amazing $209,588. This year a new charity has been chosen and with it comes a new set of Cape Bretoners who will be supported by this event. The Rotary’s motto of “Service above Self” is more than evident. Both Caleb’s Courage and the Cape Breton Cancer Centre’s Cancer Patient Care Fund will evenly split the proceeds of the 2018 event.
Caleb’s Courage, led by the MacArthur family, is now focused on continuing Caleb’s legacy through an endowment fund that is meant to support the pediatrics unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, specifically, pediatric oncology/ palliative care patients. It will be used to enhance supports and overall quality of life for critically ill children and their families by funding specialized equipment, programs, and services during their time in hospital and at home, as well as following the loss of a child.
The Cancer Patient Care Fund started in 2005, after the Cape Breton Cancer Centre identified that financial struggle was weighing on many patients undergoing treatment. Cancer Centre social worker, Tom MacNeil has been working with the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation over the last 13 years to help patients access life’s basic necessities and medications during their illness.
The Cancer Patient Care Fund is 100 per cent donor funded and would not exist without the generosity and support of our community.
Just last year, $336,000 was given to cancer patients in Cape Breton to help alleviate the financial burden of their diagnosis. Since 2005, more than $1.7 million has supported cancer patients in our community.
As title sponsor of the event, the Prime Ribber, Destination Membertou has once again committed to seeing the success of this event in our community.
This year, five internationally renowned ribbers, competing for top awards, will join other local food vendors, local businesses participating in an onsite Vendors’ Village, a fun-filled children’s play zone, a beverage tent, and amazing musical entertainment featuring Cape Breton artists.
The ribbers have year after year told the committee that that Sydney Ribfest rivals any
event east of Montreal. They have sold more ribs than expected and do very well financially. This is what they do for a living and all the while local charities are benefitting. One ribber, Greg Brunton, of Billy Bones, spoke before a large crowd in 2016 and thanked the residents of CBRM for their outstanding support. He said, “Sydney Ribfest is one of the most successful and well-run events on the east coast.”
We are truly honoured, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, to be chosen as the charity of choice for the 2018 Sydney RibFest. We are very grateful that the Rotary Clubs of Cape Breton have given us this tremendous opportunity to impact Cape Bretoners in a meaningful way.
I’d also like to congratulate the Hospice Palliative Care Society
of Cape Breton County for their hard work and three great years of a partnership and much needed funds raised.
What I’ll ask of you this summer is to come check out this event. Have fun with your family, enjoy the atmosphere and help support your neighbor by making a donation at the gate. Just remember, if we work hard as a community, we can strengthen healthcare for Cape Bretoners. You have the power to help.
Until no patient needs us, we need you! Feel free to share your thoughts on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook @becauseucare #thenext25.