L’Essor fundraiser helps former student
The Windsor Express brought their training camp to L’Essor secondary school on Monday as local pro basketball players joined the fight for former student Ryan Toomer, who is battling bone cancer.
The exhibition was meant as a treat for students and staff who are raising money to help the 19-yearold Toomer.
The L’Essor graduate had plans to work as a diesel mechanic. But a diagnosis in April — and subsequent surgery to amputate his leg midway down his calf — put those plans on hold. It also meant he needed to come up with $12,000 for a prosthetic.
Grade 10 student Emily Desmarais said she was inspired to get involved with the fundraising effort because cancer has hit close to home — affecting her own family and now her school family.
L’Essor teacher Lucien Gava said students, staff and administration have enthusiastically embraced the fundraising effort.
As of Monday afternoon, $537 had been collected. But Gava said he was confident more than $1,000 will be raised.
Students also created and signed a huge card for Toomer.
Maia Nitschke and Raija Rudiak, both Grade 10 students, painted scenes for both the front and back covers of the card.
“It’s supposed to show we’re all here to support him,” Rudiak said.
Gava said they were hoping to present the card and a framed football jersey from Toomer’s days playing for L’Essor on Monday. But Toomer is back in the hospital for further treatment.
Part of the fundraising proceeds will also be donated to the Canadian Liver Foundation in memory of a former teacher, the late Rob Jones, who had liver cancer.
The Help Ryan Walk Again fundraising campaign has a GoFundMe page at that has raised $11,350 as of Monday night.