The community gathers around a local hockey coach who shaved his head for charity.
Jeff Yuke’s wife Reagan was diagnosed with cancer in September 2021.
“My wife had lymphoma,” he told CTV News. “It was quite a challenge for us.”
After that experience, the couple decided they wanted to help children who were in a similar situation.
“When I first started my treatment, I realized how difficult it was for me as an adult to go to a local hospital for my treatment,” said Reagan. “I thought, if it’s exhausting and difficult for me to do this, how awful it must be for a child.”
Then they teamed up with Scotlands Yard.
The organization is named after a girl named Scotland who also had cancer and had to travel more than 20,000 kilometers to get to her appointments.
“Once people understand the needs and resources our community still needs to help these children with cancer with their treatment, everyone thinks, ‘What can I do?’” said Jackie Sieber of Scotlands Yard.
“We have an incredible cancer center,” added Paul McIntyre Royston, the president and CEO of the Grand River Hospital Foundation. “It’s mainly aimed at adults. At the moment, children often have to travel far for treatment. Scotland Yards’ long-term vision is to bring that here.”
The Yuke family said community support for their efforts has been overwhelming.
“Jeff coaches two hockey teams,” Reagan said. “His one team, the U-11s, gave him a pot. [They] told us to add it up and in it we saw pennies. These kids have looted their own piggy bank and want to be part of something bigger than themselves.”
Jeff’s hair will be donated to cancer patients and the money will help local families.
“It’s great,” said McIntyre Royston. “We’ve seen the numbers come in and I think it’s over $13,000. They really want to see him bald! It’s fascinating.”
The Yukes said this experience has reminded them of the love that surrounds their family.
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