Annual herring sale for sick kids hits Steveston this Saturday

The annual Herring Sale for Kids with Cancer is set for Saturday, Dec. 1 in Steveston.

The very popular Fishermen Helping Kids with Cancer (FHKWC) event has been going since 2011, raising more than $550,000 for kids being treated for cancer at BC Children’s Hospital.

One hundred per cent of the herring sale revenue goes to the cause, with all other costs covered by the B.C. commercial fishing industry.

In the last year, FHKWC purchased 35 iPads for each child on the oncology floor at BC Children’s Hospital.

And FHKWC put a Nintendo Switch in every room and there is a $10,000 game library with X-box and PS4 systems on the way.

Vitamix blenders and smoothie mixers, bought by the fund, also help kids keep on weight when chemo makes food taste bad.

FHWKC also buys books, toys, snacks, welcome kits and much more to brighten the day for some very sick kids during their weeks or months in the hospital.

“The fishing industry is thankful for the opportunity to help make tough days for kids with cancer a little easier,” said Phil Eidsvik, a spokesperson for FHKWC.

The first herring seiner left for the fishing grounds on Thursday, but the herring food fishery really gets going in late November. Most of the fishing occurs off Nanaimo/Qualicum.

Weather and sea lions permitting, 60 tons of herring will be unloaded at the Steveston Seafood Action the day before the sale.

The sale takes place 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Steveston Seafood Auction, 12740 Trites Road. The price is $15 for a 20-pound bag.

For more information, call 604-618-3072 or email [email protected].