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During our weekly visits to farmer's markets throughout Toronto and
the GTA, many of us got to know and become friends with the individual
affectionately known as Gray.
Gray worked on a farm in the Holland Marsh and up until the pandemic, was a so-called migrant farmworker. For over 30 year years, Gray spent nearly half the year in Canada, away from his family. As we all know, Gray was a very skilled farmer and worked tirelessly growing organic food for us, while providing for his family back home.
Perhaps you remember Gray's smile, how he would make sure the freshest and brightest tomatoes were saved for you, or his stories about his family back home in Jamaica (especially his grandson!).
The Pandemic and Gray's Surgery
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented Gray's return to Canada and with mounting concerns about an income for his family, he was met with a second emergency: Gray had to have surgery for suspected colon cancer.
It's now been over two years since Gray's surgery, yet follow up appointments and biopsies have been to no avail, because of a public health care system in Jamaica that is overcrowded, overburdened. Gray's health has continued to deteriorate, to the extent he's now in constant pain and unable to sleep a full night. Without access to a private health care clinic, Gray's health condition remains undiagnosed and untreated.
What's more, the cost of a cab, an overnight stay at a hotel near the
hospital and meals en route, are out of reach for Gray.
Lack of financial means and access to adequate public health
care has prevented any reprieve from the pain Gray constantly feels.
Our Help Is Needed!
While Gray has attempted to farm his land in Jamaica, the pain often prevents him from the simplest of tasks - and he can only look out from his porch, frustrated by his inability to farm and worried about how he will find an income for his family.
Most recently, the lettuce Gray painstakingly planted that would have brought income to his family, washed out in the heavy rains of Hurricane Ian.
Now, Gray needs us - his Canadian connections, friends and family.
I have known Gray since I was 8 years old and now 35, I continue to be in near daily contact with Gray. On his behalf, I am organizing a fundraising so we can send him the funds he needs to access a private clinic in Jamaica. The funds will also be used to pay workers for his farm, so he doesn't have to worry about who will tend the fields, water the crops, or make sure they get to market.
Let's show Gray we care and that his Canadian friends and family are here for him.
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