It must have been a slightly awkward moment made immeasurably better thanks to a humourous event name.
On Sunday, April 22, Erica Beattie set up shop at the waterslides in Servus Place pool, asking people to pledge her for Riding the Colon, a very visceral visual for other watersliders to envision what their intestines look like.
Her parents, Cory and Jackie, both admitted that the fundraiser for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) was a hastily arranged affair. Despite the lack of preparation, it was a colossal hit, bringing in a whopping $6,122.70 for the charity.
Lori Schneider, vice-president of the Edmonton chapter of CCFC, was thrilled with Erica's gift.
"This is amazing! There have been kids who have done fundraisers before … I don't think we've had one quite this big before."
Erica, a Grade 5 student at école Marie Poburan, presented the cheque – complete with her signature – to representatives from the foundation during a morning ceremony at the school yesterday.
Mom and Dad couldn't be prouder. A year ago, they were still trying to figure out why their daughter had stopped growing. She was just diagnosed in the fall.
"She was quite young to be diagnosed," Jackie said. "It took us two years to figure out what was wrong. Once we got to the Stollery, things moved very quickly which was good."
Cory added that Erica saw opportunities to turn a negative into a positive while at the hospital.
"She had heard a little bit about some of the charities. She wanted to do something to raise some money. She wanted to do something on her own. She wanted to do something that she could have some of her friends joining her in participation."
That's how she came up with this idea, one that the whole family hopes will now take place on an annual basis. He added that his daughter has tackled her disease head on, proving that she's got the winning spirit to improve her health and help others, too.
"She's looking at it from more of a fighter mindset instead of a victim mindset. To learn that at that age is great for her."
Family and friends rallied together as well to make the event a success. Jackie is going one step further today by helping cook up some more support.
Today is M & M Meat Shops' 24th annual Charity Barbecue Day. All 450 locations across Canada set up the barbecues to raise $1.5 million for the CCFC. Jackie will spend the afternoon flipping burgers and hot dogs at the Giroux Crossing store located on the corner of Giroux Road and St. Albert Trail. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
According to the CCFC, Canada has among the highest incidences of inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn's and ulcerative colitis) in the world.
Cupcakes just in time for Mother's Day
The Children's Festival is at the end of the month but cupcake enthusiasts across the city know that today is the big day.
The second annual Butterfly Cupcake Challenge takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Albert Centre. 13 teams will compete for the sweetest treat, and the confectionary action is free and open to the public.
Afterward, attendees can purchase the frosty delights, possibly as last minute Mother's Day presents.
All proceeds go to support the Friends of the Northern Alberta International Children's Festival Society.
Visit www.childfest.com for more information.
