Riverview dragon boat team fundraises for breast cancer
Encourages other homes to join efforts
Thursday May 15, 2008 -- Camille Jensen
The Riverview Rockers are fundraising for the Annual Dragon Boat Festival June 14 and are issuing a challenge to other OMNI homes to pitch in and raise funds for breast cancer.

Melissa O’Neill, nursing administrative services manager (NASM) at Riverview Manor, is this year’s captain.

O’Neill says breast cancer is an important issue that has touched staff and residents in all of OMNI’s homes.

O’Neill is hoping other homes will contribute to the fundraising efforts, which will benefit Peterborough’s local breast assessment centre. Riverview has raised $400 for the event and plans to reach $1,000 by June 14.

This year’s dragon boat team is composed of staff from Riverview, several Peterborough police officers and members from OMNI’s corporate office including new CEO Pat McCarthy.

OMNI’s corporate office is also sponsoring the team’s boat and training day.

Kelly Burns, human resource manager at OMNI’s head office, says the company has participated in the event for the last five years. Burns, who previously worked at Riverview, says they decided to form a team because of the substantial impact cancer has in long-term care.

“We started it at Riverview because we had a lot of residents, as well as staff, who themselves or someone they knew had breast cancer,” says Burns. “The event heightens awareness and sponsors research to help find a cure.”

Anyone interested in donating to the campaign can contact O’Neill at (705) 748-6706.

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