Pink the Towns goes provincial in 2021

Article content

Bec Matthews is raising the bar in her campaign to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.

Last year, 1,200 Paint the Town Pink lawn signs were sold in a two-week span, culminating in a $13,800 donation to the Canadian Cancer Society during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Pink the Towns goes provincial in 2021 Back to video

Rebranding her campaign to Pink the Towns, Matthews, a Dorchester resident, would like to see the initiative spread across the province. Pink the Towns has a goal of selling 5,000 biodegradable lawn signs in 2021 and will the donate all of the proceeds to breast cancer awareness and research-related initiatives.

Lawn signs for $20 and door hangers for $5 can be preordered through the website until the end of June, with pickup and mail delivery in August and September 2021 to have them ready for use in October.

Pink the Towns merchandise, including T-shirts, sweaters and toques, will also be available on the website.

“Last year, we also had people painting pink pumpkins, putting pink ribbons and balloons out, streamers, and decorating with pink lights,” Matthews said.

Preordering signs now will give Matthews time to process the orders and organize pickup locations.

“This year, we know it’s going to be chaotic. We know it’s going to be hectic, but right now is the time where we know people are going to reach out to us. We know there are people out there who are going to say, ‘I am willing to take care of Tillsonburg,’ or ‘I am willing to take care of Aylmer or Simcoe.’ As the years go on, we’re going to try to turn the province pink in October.”

The campaign spread into communities as far away as Georgian Bay and Ottawa last year.

Matthews, 48, is a Stage 3 cancer fighter who had three different types of breast cancer, endured 18 rounds of chemotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation,and a double mastectomy. She said breast cancer awareness and early detection is critical.

“If we can catch it early, then it’s a lot less treatment. The biggest part is getting the word out. I have talked to all kinds of women – thousands of women – and they all have the same story. ‘Well, we didn’t check our breasts’ or ‘We don’t.’ So the first of every month, I’ll go on my Facebook page and ask, ‘Have you checked your breasts today? Don’t put it off until tomorrow. Do it today. This is how you do it … and it’s important.’

“They call it the silent killer for a reason because it sneaks up.”

For more information on the campaign, visit pinkthetowns.ca.

cabbott@postmedia.com