Shrimp fishermen stand behind cancer family facility

The Fishermen’s Union’s shrimp committees are throwing their support behind Daffodil Place.

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers’ (FFAW) union’s shrimp committees donated $50,000 to the construction of the 24-suite facility that will provide “a home away from home” for those rural Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have to travel to St. John’s for cancer treatments.

Dwight Spence, chair of the union’s joint shrimp committees, said shrimp fishermen, as residents of rural Newfoundland and Labrador, have seen how families suffer because of cancer and the added burden and cost of having to travel for treatments. “Every community has families who are dealing with this,” said the Port au Choix fisherman. “Daffodil Place will help ease some of that burden.”

The union’s secretary-treasurer, David Decker, said there’s an understanding of the tremendous cost of accessing health care, especially cancer treatment. “We are proud to be part of this project – to add our voice to the growing need for such a ‘home away from home’ and to add our financial support,” said Decker.

Alan Doyle, a member of Daffodil Place Campaign Cabinet, said the diversity of groups, organizations and individuals supporting the project has been inspiring.

A project of the Canadian Cancer Society, the construction of Daffodil Place has begun and the facility is sched- uled to open in early 2009. In addition to offering a home away from home when it means the most, Daffodil Place will provide emotional and practical support for cancer patients and their families.