The Laurendeau Cancer Care Fund, part of the St. Luke’s Foundation, has established a new project: The Bellingham Cancer Awareness Project, dedicated to employees of the Bellingham Public School system who are fighting cancer.

The project is a collaboration by students and community members whose aim is to raise funds to help the school system’s employees with medical expenses during extended cancer treatment.

The Laurendeau Foundation for Cancer Care, established in 1980, became the Laurendeau Cancer Care Fund in 2011 when the Laurendeau Foundation became a part of the St. Luke’s Foundation. Laurendeau has helped more than 500 cancer patients in Whatcom County and continues to help those who aren’t eligible for public assistance or don’t have the funds to fully pay for their medical care.

The Bellingham Cancer Awareness Project has had one major fundraising event, the One Voice concert. Held on May 16 at Squalicum High School, the event was attended by more than 500 community members and raised more than $5,000 for the project. The One Voice concert is anticipated to be an annual event.

Donations can be made through the St. Luke’s Foundation by sending a check made payable to: SLF/Bellingham Cancer Awareness Project, P.O. Box 5641 Bellingham, WA 98227. Project representatives can be reached at BellinghamCancerAwarenessProj1@gmail.com