Big game, bigger impact: Elmira, Ont. family’s tailgate tradition supports local cancer care

Over 200 people packed onto the Williard family's driveway on Sunday for a Super Bowl party, all in support of local cancer care. CTV's Hannah Schmidt has more.

For the Williard family, Super Bowl Sunday isn’t just about the big game; it’s about making a big impact.

“We started doing this tailgate party just as a fun thing to start,” explained Scott Williard. “And then it just got bigger and bigger, and we turned it into a fundraiser event.”

Their annual Super Bowl tailgate party is back after a five-year hiatus.

“Every year everybody asked me, ‘are you going to do the party again?’” Williard said, laughing.

Over 200 people packed onto the family’s driveway on Sunday, all in support of the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre - a cause close to Williard’s heart.

“This stems back almost 25 years ago when my first wife passed away,” he said. “When the new cancer centre was being prepared to be built, it wasn’t while she was dealing with treatment, so we started fundraising for that centre.”

But this year, they’re also rallying behind an Elmira family whose daughter is preparing for a bone marrow transplant at the Juravinski Cancer Centre.

“Kenzie got diagnosed in September,” explained Melanie Beisel. “She got a common cold and ended up not coming back from the hospital. It’s absolutely overwhelming. But we’re so happy to see so many people giving to Juravinski and Grand River.”

“After hearing about our friend’s daughter, who’s battling the leukemia, it was it was a no brainer,” said Williard.

And giving back has never tasted this good.

100 pounds of wings prepared by Williard, homemade dishes and an endless supply of local brews and kid-friendly drinks were served to attendees. Add in a roaring fire pit and some incredible raffle prizes, and you have a winning combination.

“Probably have I’d say about $8,000 or $9 000 worth of raffle prizes this year as well.”

Since its inception, the Williard family’s Super Bowl party has raised over $70,000 with their last in-person event in 2020 pulling in a record-breaking $16,250.

“We have things like unfunded drugs that money can go to, chemotherapy, and all kinds of stuff that we don’t have the funding for through the government,” said Paul Amaral, a Grand River Hospital Foundation spokesperson. “I think it’s important we realize how much our region is growing, in terms of the population and the diversity in our population. And so, we need better health care. We need to have a bigger hospital.”

It was a game day gathering with a purpose, proving that when a community comes together, everyone wins.

“They will be tears today, for sure. But the support is absolutely incredible,” said Williard.

“We have seen firsthand what you need out of a cancer centre,” added Beisel. “We see the money and the funding that goes into it. So just every little bit helps.”

Donations to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre can be made online.