UFCW Canada Eastern Provinces Council helps leukemia patient “Forget Cancer”

Halifax – June 26, 2018 – Activists from the UFCW Canada Eastern Provinces Council (EPC) recently joined forces with the Forget Cancer campaign to help leukemia survivor Jeric Mullins “forget cancer” for a day at the Westin Nova Scotian hotel in Halifax.

The Forget Campaign initiative helps cancer survivors “forget cancer” by making their dreams come true with a fun-filled day of gifts and activities and a unique photo and video shoot that captures the excitement on camera. The video shoot is then aired on the Forget Cancer TV show, which is featured on the local cable channel EastLink TV.

As part of the campaign, UFCW EPC Director Mark Dobson and UFCW Canada National Representative Tim Hosford, together with Ed Boulter and Nicole Johnson of Forget Cancer, met with Jeric at the Westin Nova Scotian, where they surprised him with an autographed P.K. Subban jersey, a knife set and chef jacket from local chef Marc Gray, and an appearance from Brother Mullins’ favourite mascot, Hal of the Halifax Mooseheads. Jeric is a big Montreal Canadiens and Mooseheads fan who hopes to become a professional chef someday.

At the meeting, Jeric and his parents were overcome with emotion when greeted by representatives from UFCW Canada and Forget Cancer. In September 2017, Jeric was diagnosed with Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a type of cancer in which the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells. He is currently undergoing treatments and will continue to receive chemotherapy for the next three years.

“Today was a chance for Jared to forget about cancer and just be a happy kid,” said Mark Dobson. “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Forget Cancer to help make Jeric’s dreams come true for a day,” he added.

“During our interview, Jeric showed that he is a very smart and likeable little boy who’s a lot of fun to chat with,” said Ed Boulter. “I know he had a great time with us because he was overwhelmed with joy and happiness, and I want to thank UFCW for being a part of it!”

UFCW Canada has a long history of supporting blood cancer patients and survivors through our fundraising and outreach work. Since 1985, UFCW Canada members and Local Unions have helped raise over $41.4 million in support of the life-saving research, awareness, and outreach efforts of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. To learn more about our union’s efforts to fight blood cancers, click here.