The largest fundraiser of the year for the annual Kids Curing Cancer (KCC) campaign featured pasta, a record number of prizes and the hosts entertaining with live music.
KCC’s annual pasta dinner fundraiser was presented last Saturday night at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery with over 200 people supporting the cause. Organized by the Baillargeon family and a large team of loyal volunteers, the event is the centrepiece of the campaign to raise money to furnish the new MRI suite at Erie Shores Healthcare in Leamington.
KCC announced Sunday the dinner alone raised $11,230 with more events to come.
“We have lots of things going on this year,” said Lauren Baillargeon, who joined younger siblings Kierstyn and Ty in welcoming people to the dinner. “People have been very generous.”
Businesses and citizens helped with donations of cash and prizes in 2025, with Lauren stating the event has grown beyond just her family. She said the KCC team is made up of students at local schools, sponsors, donors, volunteers and the general public.
Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery donated use of the facility while staff gave their time to be there, Chef Don and 3-D Catering donated the meal, Sweet Moments Cookie Co. offered the desserts while raffle and door prizes surrounded the walls of the hall. Sean and Kim MacKinnon oversaw the live auction.
The Windsor Spitfires are partners during the campaign and had promotions at two home games. The South County Predators girls hockey program also raised funds for KCC.
Six locals schools – Anderdon Public School, Malden Central Public School, Harrow Public School, St. Jean de Brebeuf in Kingsville, LaSalle Public School and Leamington District High School – also have or will contribute to KCC through in-school fundraising events.
“They raise quite a bit of money,” said Lauren, adding there is still time for other schools to get involved.
Ure’s Country Kitchen stepped up with a free round of mini-golf for kids 18 and under, Darron Trombley donated a Gretsch Electromatic guitar for the raffle while local hockey coach Dan Pettypiece worked with the NHL Foundation to obtain a William Nylander signed Toronto Maple Leaf jersey. Tickets for the latter two are still on sale and more information is on the Kids Curing Cancer social media sites.
Involving the schools helps keeps the “Kids” in Kids Curing Cancer, she added, noting she is now 20-years-old while Ty and Kierstyn will be turning 15.
Ty said it was a record year for door prizes, noting there were 113 in total.
“This is the most by far,” he said.
KCC raised $41,753.35 last year for the MRI suite in Leamington and they are giving back to that for the second straight year. Previous causes KCC has given to include the Fight Like Mason Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and the patient assistance fund at Windsor Regional Hospital.
Lauren said no one in their family has had to use the MRI suite yet but they are glad it’s there for the community.
“It’s definitely needed in the community,” she said.
Lauren emphasized “it’s our whole KCC family” that help to put events like the dinner on and raise the funds. There were over 20 volunteers at the dinner in addition to all those who attended, she pointed out.
In addition to helping people in Leamington, the new suite has reduced wait times in Windsor and Chatham-Kent, Kierstyn added. She said KCC has raised over $158,000 total since it started 12 years ago.
All donors were thanked with just some of them including The Artisan Grill, Integrity Tool and Mold, Soap Chef, Unifor Local 444 and Accurate Creations among others.
Lauren issued a special thank you to her mother Jodi, who does a lot of work behind the scenes.
“We wouldn’t be able to be here without her,” she said.
Penny Bellhouse, executive director with the Erie Shores Health Foundation, said the dinner is a great time for her and her family but was also thankful for the money it raises.
“I can’t tell you how grateful we are at Erie Shores Health Foundation,” said Bellhouse. “What (KCC) does for the community is beyond explanation.”
The MRI suite is now open in Leamington, with Bellhouse noting there was a two-year waiting list for non-urgent MRIs. That has dropped by three months and should drop further April 1 when they are allowed to go from being open eight hours per day to 16 hours per day.
“This is a big deal for our community,” she said.
Government funding covers keeping the lights on and staff employed, but everything else has to be funded by other means, so Bellhouse expressed her thanks again for fundraising efforts. Among the items that could be funded with the proceeds include such items as stretchers and blanket warmers.
KCC presents largest event of its fundraising year
By Ron Giofu
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