Celebrating selflessness, bravery and leadership (8 photos)

Dozens gathered at the Days Inn Tuesday night to celebrate the launch of the 2016 cancer survivors calendar.

The inaugural calendar project is in support of Tracy's Dream, a cancer patient fundraising program initiated in March of 2015 by Tracy Dinelle.

With support from the Sault Area Hospital, Tracy's Dream aims to assist those undergoing cancer treatment by providing free hospital parking passes.

To date, Tracy’s Dream has raised more than $15,000 for cancer care parking.

“I’m overwhelmed by the response to the project,” Dinelle told SooToday. “The community has been great, and we’re very lucky to be living in Sault Ste. Marie. The community always reaches out and to help each other.”

The calendars will be available to the public starting November 18 for $20 each at a number of locations across the city, including Stone’s Office Plus, Kevanna Photography Studio, the Sault Area Hospital Gift Shop and many others.

Anyone interested in purchasing a calendar can also email Dinelle at [email protected].

“The calendars are beautiful, and the girls worked really hard,” said Dinelle.

“We’re hoping to eventually raise enough money so all local cancer patients won’t have to pay for any of their hospital visits. That’s my dream,” she said.

While 2,000 calendars were printed, approximately half are already spoken for.

The project aims to raise $30,000 in support of Tracy’s Dream.

“Today’s event offers proof that sometimes out of the simplest of ideas - in this case, covering parking costs for cancer patients - remarkable things can happen,” said Mayor Christian Provenzano as he addressed the audience prior to dinner.

He thanked Dinelle for her selflessness, leadership and drive to push the project forward, despite her own struggles battling cancer.

“You’ve been a force of optimism and positivity,” he said. “Instead of focusing on yourself, you asked what you could do to help others in the same situation. And then, more impressively, you went out and you did it.”

Mayor Provenzano went on to commend the bravery of the 13 women who modelled for the calendar, all of whom are survivors of or are currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

“There’s no antidote to [the fear of a cancer diagnosis] than to be able to look to the example of others who have faced or are facing the disease, and are continuing to live vibrantly and courageously,” he said.

“I’ve come to learn over 11 months [as mayor] that I am just one of the leaders in this community,” Mayor Provenzano continued, off script. “We have a tremendously strong community who have a number of times faced adversity. But we always face it with the strength that you women are showing tonight. So, my favourite part of being the mayor is not leading, but watching all the other amazing leaders we have in our community, and I thank you for being amongst those.”

Dinelle said that other fundraising projects are forthcoming, including one this coming spring.

To find out more about Tracy’s Dream, follow the progress on Facebook.

(PHOTO: Tracy Dinelle at a gala to celebrate the release of the 2016 Breast Cancer Survivor Calendar in support of Tracy's Dream at the Days Inn on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. Donna Hopper/SooToday)