Timmins Local 535 Raises $14,000 for Young Cancer Patient

A nine-year-old Timmins, Ontario boy who is battling brain cancer received a heartfelt boost from local fire fighters who held a charity hockey game and auction to raise funds for him and his family.

Sylvain Noel, who travels to Toronto with his family for radiation treatments, was first diagnosed with inoperable cancer when he was six, but went into remission until recently – about the same time his father, a local factory worker, was laid off from his job.

Timmins, ON Local 535 President Ellard Beaven learned about the family’s circumstances and decided right away to name Sylvain the beneficiary for the local’s annual charity hockey game and auction February 24. Held at a city arena, the event raised $14,000 for the Noel family.

For the auction, Local 535 accepted items donated by members, businesses in the community, the IAFF Canadian Office and other Canadian locals, including Toronto, ON Local 3888.

“We were overwhelmed by the tremendous support that our event received from the community, and from the IAFF and its affiliates,” Beaven says. “With their help, we were able to make a significant difference in the life of a child and his family during a time of need.”

Beaven adds that he is proud of the way his members rallied around the cause and in particular notes the hard work of Local 535 members Scott Atkinson and Buzz Wawrzaszek. In the hockey match, a team of fire fighters tied a team of media members 8-8 before 800 fans, including Timmins-area member of Parliament Charlie Angus.

“We like to help the community, whether we’re on duty or off duty,” Beaven says. “For us, helping the community is an important part of being a fire fighter.”

For Sylvain’s 10th birthday on March 25, Timmins fire fighters are organizing a firehall birthday party for him, where they also plan to present him with another $500 donation. The family reports that it is grateful to Timmins fire fighters for what they have done.