As part of Connections' 'Why I Volunteer' series, UFCW Canada Local 1000A member Mary Joe Eaton shared her personal story with our magazine on her volunteer work to find a cure for Leukemia & Lymphoma. Mary Joe, who worked at Kretschmar, helped organize two yard sales in Toronto and several initiatives at work to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. She is a Local 1000A Executive Board member and most recently, won an Outstanding Member Achievement Award- Fundraising for Leukemia Research.
Leukemia is a devastating disease and even though we have made many huge leaps there are still people losing their lives to this disease.
Six years ago, I made the decision to put my all into helping to find a cure for leukemia and lymphoma when I heard the sad news of a member’s 10-year-old daughter being diagnosed with leukemia. Though I didn’t know the family personally, I could not help but think of all the pain and suffering they were facing and the difficult road ahead for them. As a mother, I thought of the parents taking care of their child knowing it could be their last days together. Sadly, that little girl lost her battle with leukemia.
Like many of my union sisters and brothers, I choose to be proactive in helping to find a cure so hopefully one day no one suffers from this disease. I participate in leukemia fundraising because it gives me joy knowing I am helping others and because it’s the right to do. The families I help are very appreciative of my efforts in helping their loved ones live a full life.
At my workplace, I along with my co-workers regularly organized a 50/50 weekly draw and monthly bake sales. My sisters and I from the WIN Region 3 also held two community yard sales. It was overwhelming for us to hear from leukemia survivors sharing their stories and thanking us because it’s through the work and support of volunteers that today they are survivors.
In recent years, I was thrilled to see Hailey, a co-worker’s daughter, win her battle against leukemia. She is currently in remission and attending school. It’s these types of stories that keep me going because I know we are making a difference by every little thing we do. I believe a cure is around the corner but it will take all of us to win this battle. Let’s not wait until one of us or a family member is diagnosed— We all have the power and ability to make a difference today.
