For job seekers in Renfrew, Julie Villamere is a familiar sight as the Employment Services Manager at the Renfrew’s ontrac Employment Resource Centre. However, Julie can also be found in the community raising funds and awareness for brain cancer research and treatment.
Her advocacy began back in early 2021, when her daughter was diagnosed with the disease, and since then Julie has been touched beyond belief by the support that community members have show her and her family. Off the top of her head, a small trivia night last year where they expected 70 people blossomed to over 200 people and raised over $10,000 for the Brain Cancer Foundation of Canada.
One of the biggest obstacles that Julie says her cause faces is simply the lack of government funding. Brain cancer research, despite having around 120 different variations that can affect people at any age, only gets 3% of the annual funding from government sources. It’s a gap in money that often leaves patients in the lurch when it comes to treatment and medication and makes her work all the more important.
May is Brain Tumor Awareness month, and Julie is inviting you to wear your greys and meet her down at Ma-te-Way Park on May 27th for the Heads and Hearts Walk, Run, and Bike that will also send it’s proceeds to Brain Cancer Canada.