It was another curveball Al Bezaire and his wife, Ericka, were not expecting – the overwhelming support of the community for Lambton College Baseball’s Curveballs for Cancer event.

Oct. 7, Members of the Lambton Lions turned over a check to Oncologist Dr. Julie Lebert and Bluewater Health Foundation Executive Director Kathy Alexander for just over $50,000. It was raised through sponsorships, including from Marcotte Disposal, raffles and admission from those attending the Sept. 20 game between the Lions and Sault St. Marie.

Bezaire, who is the coach of the Lambton Lions ball team, originally hoped to raise $2,000.

“Our community continues to show just how wonderful they are,” Bezaire said. “That number was never even in the stratosphere when we first started. Incredible.”

The family organized the event as a thank you to Bluewater Health staff for their “amazing care” after Ericka was diagnosed with breast cancer. The Port Lambton woman been given a clean bill of health.

And, in case you were wondering, the Lions won both games of the double header 8-1 and 11-3.