By Teena Monteleone

Cancer society looking for jailbirds

Oct 13, 2018 | 3:00 PM

Being charged for whistling in the office too loud, eating the last doughnut or not replacing the toilet paper roll are all possibilities next Thursday. The Canadian Cancer Society is urging residents to have their bosses, co-workers, friends and family members arrested as part of the 29th annual Jail-N-Bail fundraiser.

“It is such a unique fundraising event that brings normally upstanding citizens to our ‘court’ where they stand in front of our judge to face their funny charges,” said Charlene Bernard of the Prince Albert Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society.

After being booked and photographed, the jailbirds raise their bail by collecting donations that will be used for cancer research, programs and services in Canada.

“The surprise arrests add to the prank-like fun of the event and there are always laughs as people stand before the judges to face their phoney charges like being too attached to their phone or too cheerful in the morning,” said Bernard.

While the event is fun in nature, the cause is quite serious. In 2017, an estimated 2,400 people died of cancer in Saskatchewan and 5,600 new cases were diagnosed. For both men and women, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the province.

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Following a smaller turnout at last year’s event, Bernard is reminding the public that they don’t have to be arrested to participate. Donations can be made over the phone or in person at the Gateway Mall. Last year’s event brought in over $10,000.

“Join in on the fun by snitching on someone or confessing your own crime,” said Bernard.  

Chris Knight and Teena Monteleone from Saskatchewan Country CKBI and the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group will be guest judges at the event. To arrange an arrest or make a donation, visit the Jail-N-Bail website or contact the Prince Albert Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society.

teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TeenaMonteleone