Cookstown's cancer fight contribution
By Chris Simon

Photo by Chris Simon McLachlan Floral Design owner Shawna McLachlan was showing patrons how to build floral displays.

Many of Shawna McLachlan's customers have fought breast cancer.

It's a disease that affects thousands of people across the region each year, and patrons of McLachlan's Cookstown floral design shop are no different.

That's one of the reasons she, along with the owners of three other Cookstown businesses, decided to raise money for breast cancer research.

Queenstreet Station Fashions and Gifts, The Princely Pear Tea Room, The Gallery on Queen and McLachlan's Florists hosted an annual cancer research fundraiser Saturday.

McLachlan donated floral demonstrations for a draw, while the gallery held a silent auction.

Meanwhile, the tea room and boutique offered wine tasting, food sampling and holiday decorating tips.

Saturday was the first time McLachlan had participated in the fundraiser, but she quickly realized its importance.

"A lot of our clients are women, and it's good to raise the funds for the research and be able to give back to that a little," she said, between setting up floral decorations and handing out pink flowers to patrons.

"If you figure how many women pass through the door each day, it's huge. Ever since we put the (fundraiser) notice up, so many women have said they're breast cancer survivors or are dealing with it right now.

"It's something that reaches a lot of people."

McLachlan said several suppliers donated items for the event, while the response from customers has been positive.

"Every little bit helps," she said. "It makes (fundraising) go further."